President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi on Tuesday reviewed plans to raise renewable energy’s share of Egypt’s electricity mix to 45% by 2028, bringing forward and increasing the previous target of 42% by 2030. The plans also cover battery storage, green hydrogen, desalination and the local processing of black-sand minerals and rare elements.
Al-Sisi met with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Electricity and Renewable Energy Minister Mahmoud Esmat, and Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk to review progress on the projects. According to the presidency, the meeting examined the implementation of a 200-megawatt wind power plant in the Gulf of Suez as part of Egypt’s efforts to expand renewable electricity generation.
Esmat said the ministry had recently signed a contract for a new 500-kilovolt overhead transmission line to carry wind-generated electricity from the Gulf of Suez to consumption centres and strengthen the national grid.
The meeting also reviewed operational and planned renewable energy projects, the expansion of battery energy storage systems, and the infrastructure required to accommodate additional renewable generation.
Al-Sisi called for a more diversified and sustainable energy mix to strengthen energy security, reduce emissions and cut dependence on fossil fuels, according to the presidency.
Officials also reviewed green hydrogen projects and seawater desalination plans, including a planned desalination complex in the Dabaa area that would use advanced technologies.
Other desalination projects are being developed in connection with existing power stations and in cooperation with international partners. The government is also seeking to localise the technologies and industries associated with desalination.
Al-Sisi reviewed efforts to expand domestic manufacturing based on black sands and rare elements, stressing the importance of converting Egypt’s natural resources into higher-value industrial products rather than relying primarily on raw materials.
Finance Minister Kouchouk separately presented updates on economic and fiscal developments, cooperation with international financial institutions, and government efforts to reduce the debt of budgetary authorities.
Al-Sisi called for coordination among state agencies to implement debt-reduction plans and achieve the government’s announced targets.