Egyptian Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mohamed Shaker discussed with EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simpson ways to support and boost cooperation between the Egyptian electricity and renewable energy sector and the European Energy Commission.
The Commission is interested in the electrical linkage between the EU, Africa, and the Middle East through Egypt.
Simpson praised the achievements of Egypt's electricity and renewable energy sector, expressing her desire to increase cooperation in various electricity fields, especially in renewable energy and green hydrogen.
She expressed the Commission's interest in completing a linkage project with Greece so that Egypt becomes a regional hub for energy exchange between Europe, Arab, and African countries.
For his part, Shaker praised the distinguished relations between the Egyptian electricity and renewable energy sector and the Commission.
He highlighted the achievements of the electricity and renewable energy sector, stressing interest in spreading the use of renewable energies.
The Minister pointed out the significant challenges Egypt faced in providing energy to the local market in the past and the efforts made to secure and sustain the electricity supply to meet demand.
Moreover, Shaker noted that the ministry is interested in renewable energies through an ambitious plan to produce around 10,000 megawatts in 2023.
He stressed that the electricity sector is working on improving and developing the transmission and distribution networks.
It also establishing networks to strengthen the national grid to contain the new capabilities added from renewable energy, reduce electrical losses in the network, and enhance linkage with neighboring countries.
The Minister noted that Egypt is linked with Jordan, Libya, and Sudan.
The ministry has signed contracts to award the electrical linkage project between Saudi Arabia and Egypt to increase the reliability of the electrical supply.
Cairo also signed memoranda of understanding to implement interconnection projects with Cyprus and Greece, making Egypt a regional hub for energy exchange with Europe and Arab and African countries.
The Minister indicated that cooperation is ongoing with international companies to start discussions and studies to implement experimental green hydrogen production projects in Egypt as a first step towards the possibility of export.
Green hydrogen would soon become a promising energy source, Shaker remarked, adding that a ministerial committee is currently studying hydrogen as a source of energy in Egypt.
Egypt is keen to support the efforts of African countries to access clean energy from renewable sources, he said.
