Egypt’s electricity demand hits 39,300 MW amid summer peak

Egypt’s peak electricity demand reached 39,300 megawatts (MW) on Tuesday, up about 2,000 MW from the same day last year, Electricity Minister Mahmoud Esmat said as the government stepped up efforts to reinforce the national grid to meet rising summer demand.

During a surprise visit on Wednesday to the New Cairo 220/66/22 kilovolt (kV) substation, Esmat reviewed operations and electricity supply across East Cairo as higher temperatures continued to drive up power consumption, according to a ministry statement.

The minister inspected the substation’s operational equipment, transformers, control systems and storage facilities, and received a briefing from officials on its performance and service area.

Esmat instructed officials to strengthen coordination with the National Energy Control Centre, review safety procedures and ensure operational readiness to maintain uninterrupted electricity supplies during peak demand. He said the substation, which operates at multiple voltage levels, plays a key role in supplying electricity to East Cairo.

He added that the ministry was applying lessons learned from last summer’s record electricity demand by expanding and upgrading transmission networks, constructing new substations and expanding existing facilities to strengthen energy security and improve the reliability of the national grid.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser