Electricity sector in Egypt

The electricity sector in Egypt has changed over time. It started with the government controlling everything, but now uses many kinds of energy like natural gas, renewables, and nuclear power. Private companies are also getting involved, which will shape the future of electricity in Egypt.

Most of Egypt's electricity still comes from fossil fuels. Clean electricity in Egypt mainly comes from hydropower. Wind and solar energy are growing fast.

Egypt makes a lot of electricity from fossil gas. Over the last 20 years, the need for electricity in Egypt has more than doubled.

Egypt wants to use more renewable energy. By 2030, it plans to get a big part of its electricity from renewable sources. Good news is that, as of 2016, everyone in Egypt has access to electricity.

History

Egypt’s electricity sector has changed a lot since electricity first came to the country in 1893. At first, private companies controlled power generation and distribution. In 1962, the government took control, creating three state-run authorities. These were later merged into one big company in 1965, and then reorganized again in 1976.

In the late 1990s, the government allowed private companies to build and run power plants. A new agency was created in 1997 to oversee the industry. By 2001, the sector was split into three parts: generation, transmission, and distribution, creating many new companies.

By 2014, Egypt had trouble providing enough electricity, with long daily power cuts. The government cut energy costs and sped up the development of gas fields, like the Zohr field found in 2015. This helped create extra electricity and allowed Egypt to aim for more power from renewable sources in the future.

Hydropower

Egypt has four main hydroelectric plants: the Aswan Low Dam, Esna Dam, Aswan High Dam, and Naga Hamady Barrages. The Asyut Barrage hydropower plant was added in 2016. The Aswan High Dam provides almost all of Egypt’s hydroelectric power, but it sometimes cannot run at full power because of low water levels. Efforts are being made to improve this plant.

In 2011, Egypt made a lot of electricity, and a part of it came from hydropower. Hydropower made up about 12% of Egypt’s total electricity capacity from 2009 to 2013. Because most big hydropower sites are already used, it has been hard for Egypt to grow this part of its energy system much. The Qattara Depression Project is the only large hydropower site not yet used, but it is very expensive and difficult to build.

Solar power

Egypt gets lots of sunshine because it is a hot desert country. Some places get more than 4,000 hours of sun each year, which is one of the highest amounts in the world.

The country has built big solar power projects to help meet its energy needs and avoid power cuts in the summer. In 2019, it finished the Benban Solar Park, one of the largest solar parks in the world. In 2021, Egypt agreed to build the Kom Ombo Solar Energy Complex with 32 solar projects. In 2024, Egypt started building two new solar power stations with help from the European Union. These projects support Egypt’s plan to get clean energy by 2030. With so much sun and open space, Egypt could become an important center for clean energy in North Africa and the Middle East.

Wind power

Egypt has lots of wind, especially along the Red Sea coast, which helps make electricity. In 2021, Egypt could make about 1,640 MW of electricity from wind. By the end of 2022, Egypt was the third country in Africa for wind power, after South Africa and Morocco.

One of Egypt’s biggest wind farms is called Gabal El Zeit. This wind farm cost about €340 million, covers 100 square kilometers, and has 300 big machines that make 580 MW of electricity.

Nuclear power

Main article: Nuclear power in Egypt

Egypt has wanted to use nuclear power since the 1960s. In 2006, the government decided to build a nuclear power plant at El Dabaa. In 2015, Egypt signed an agreement with Russia to help build this plant. In 2017, important contracts were signed to build four reactors. Construction began in 2022 and is expected to finish by 2030.

Interconnection projects

Egypt is working with Cyprus and Greece on a plan called the EuroAfrica Interconnector. This plan will include a strong electric cable under the sea, linking Egypt to Europe. Leaders from all three countries support this because it will help make sure everyone has dependable energy.