Egypt, IRENA explore renewable energy collaboration

Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mahmoud Esmat, met with Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), during the 15th IRENA General Assembly. The talks focused on bolstering cooperation in renewable energy, including training programmes, capacity building, and policy development to advance clean energy initiatives.

The meeting emphasised the longstanding collaboration between Egypt and IRENA, with discussions on joint projects such as training initiatives in partnership with the African Development Bank and Egypt’s active participation in global wind energy events.

Egypt’s newly adopted energy strategy, prioritising renewable energy, reduced fossil fuel dependency, and carbon emission reductions, was also highlighted.

Minister Esmat reaffirmed Egypt’s leadership role within IRENA, chairing key committees and contributing to its specialised bodies. He extended an invitation to Director-General La Camera and his delegation to visit Egypt in the coming weeks.

Discussions also touched on Egypt’s renewable energy expansion, energy transition efforts, battery storage projects, and hydropower initiatives, including pumped storage.

Minister Esmat emphasised the importance of regional electricity interconnection projects, such as those linking Egypt with Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Libya, and Sudan, and the planned connections to southern Europe through Italy, Greece, and Cyprus.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: M. S. Salama