Egypt’s PM hosts high-level energy roundtable at EGYPES ’25

Egypt’s Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly hosted the inaugural EGYPES Leadership Circle Roundtable on the second day of the Egypt Energy Show (EGYPES 2025), Tuesday, 18th February 2025.

He was joined by Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources; Mahmoud Esmat, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy; Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment; and Ahmed Kouchouk, Minister of Finance.

This high-level dialogue facilitated continued collaboration between the government and industry partners, highlighting the importance of advancing Egypt’s sustainable energy future.

Discussions focused on balancing low-carbon oil and gas production with investments in renewables, hydrogen, power generation, and energy efficiency to speed up the transition to an investor-friendly, low-carbon growth economy.

The Strategic Conference: Advancing Secure and Sustainable Energy Development

Open dialogue on the energy trilemma is crucial despite renewable energy progress. Global supply chain issues, geopolitical instability, and trade dynamics still threaten energy security, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts and strong policy frameworks.

During the Strategic Conference, a panel discussed Powering Electricity with Low-Carbon Fuels and Renewables. Karim Amin from Siemens Energy AG emphasised the need to address the energy trilemma: security, sustainability, and affordability.

Terje Pilskog, CEO of Scatec, emphasised the significant progress in solar technology, pointing out that the cost of solar panels and battery storage has decreased significantly in recent years, enabling increased integration of renewable energy sources.

Maria Rita Galli, CEO of DESFA, discussed EGYPES’ growth and partnerships in the Mediterranean, highlighting a recent strategic partnership with a Greek company that secured a long-term contract for mutually beneficial cooperation with Egypt.

Erik Nyheim, President & CEO of Höegh Evi, highlighted Egypt’s strategic location, abundant resources, and global market engagement, making it a key player in the regional energy landscape with a diverse and competitively priced energy portfolio.

Sustainability in Energy Conference: Driving Decarbonisation Forward

The EGYPES 2025 Sustainability in Energy Conference brought together top climate and energy experts to discuss ways to speed up decarbonisation efforts and reach important milestones by 2030.

During a keynote session, Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment emphasised the importance of balancing sustainability goals with energy production, distribution, and consumption in the industry.

She pointed out Egypt’s substantial advancements in decarbonisation initiatives, noting a 34 per cent decrease in the yearly renewable energy goal in the nation’s initial transparency report to the UNFCCC Secretariat, in contrast to the 42 per cent target by 2030 established under the Paris Climate Agreement.

The African Dialogue: Connecting North and Sub-Saharan Energy Markets

The EGYPES 2025 African Dialogue Conference brought together government officials, policymakers, and industry leaders from North and Sub-Saharan Africa to discuss energy security challenges and regional cooperation.

Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary-General of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), highlighted Africa’s potential in oil and gas infrastructure development and regulatory harmonisation for economic growth in his keynote on Enabling Cross-Regional Collaborations Between North and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Anibor Kragha, Executive Secretary of the African Refiners & Distribution Association (ARDA), emphasised the need to balance affordability and security in Africa’s energy sector. He stated that ensuring secure and affordable energy is a top priority for Africa, while also promoting clean energy for industrialisation.

A key panel discussion, Harnessing Africa’s Natural Gas for Energy Security and Export Markets, featured expert insights from:

• Guido D’Aloisio, CCO, Saipem, emphasised the need for collective action: Governments and oil companies, both national and international, must collaborate to implement sustainable energy solutions at scale.
• Gianluca Ciricugno, Enterprise Growth Market Director for Africa at Baker Hughes, highlighted the 30-year presence of LNG technology in Africa and its evolving adaptation to market demands and customer requirements.
• Suzanne Coogan, VP of Heartland Exploration & Namibia at Shell, emphasised the importance of energy security for economic development, industrial growth, innovation, and living standards.

EGYPES Exhibition: Driving Innovation and Industry Collaboration

Featuring 500+ companies from 120 countries and 11 international country pavilions, EGYPES 2025 Exhibition showcased innovative sustainable energy solutions. The Start-Up Zone highlighted emerging innovators’ groundbreaking solutions to investors.

Shell showcased its dedication to promoting sustainable innovation and supporting young talent through forward-thinking initiatives with the NXplorers Challenge, taking the spotlight.

The EGYPES Young Professionals Programme offers university students and early-career professionals chances to interact with industry leaders, work on projects, and enhance skills for the changing energy sector.

On the second day, the EGYPES Energy Awards took centre stage, celebrating industry pioneers in innovation, operational excellence, and sustainability.

Winners were honoured across four prestigious categories: Best Breakthrough Project of the Year, Best Health & Safety Project of the Year, Operational Excellence Project of the Year, and Young Energy Professional of the Year.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser