Egypt plans modernisation of key hydropower stations

Egypt’s ministers of electricity and water resources discussed plans on Sunday to upgrade the country’s major hydropower stations and strengthen the national electricity grid as part of efforts to expand renewable energy generation.

Electricity and Renewable Energy Minister Mahmoud Esmat and Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Hany Sewilam met with senior officials to review progress on modernising key hydropower facilities, including the High Dam, Aswan I and II, Nagaa Hammadi, Esna, and Assiut plants, which together have a combined capacity of 2,832 megawatts.

Esmat said hydropower remains a cornerstone of Egypt’s updated energy strategy, which targets 42 per cent of power generation from renewables by 2030 and 65% by 2040.

Sewilam described the High Dam as Egypt’s “fortress of safety,” noting that it is undergoing upgrades under the government’s Irrigation System 2.0 Programme to ensure sustainable water management and improve energy efficiency.

The ministers said the coordination between the two sectors is key to maintaining grid stability and meeting Egypt’s growing power demand amid the transition to cleaner energy sources.