Cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the presence of the Japanese Ambassador to Cairo
Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy witnesses the signing ceremony of the agreement for the establishment of a solar power plant, a battery energy storage system, and an eco-friendly information center

Dr. Mahmoud Esmat: We are working with international partners to promote the use of renewable energy, reduce carbon emissions, and diversify energy sources.
We have an ambitious program to maximize the utilization of new and renewable energy resources… and the state has created an enabling investment environment to support the private sector and attract further investments.

As part of the national energy strategy and the action plan to enhance the role of new and renewable energy in the energy mix, reduce carbon emissions, and within the framework of partnership and cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Dr. Mahmoud Esmat, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, witnessed the signing ceremony of the agreement for the construction of a 20 MW solar power plant using photovoltaic cells, an integrated battery energy storage system with a capacity of 30 MWh, in addition to an eco-friendly information and training center, to promote the use of renewable energy.

The agreement was signed between the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA), the Japanese company Yurtec, and the Egyptian companies Solar Installar and Redcon. The signatories were Eng. Ihab Ismail, Chairman of the New and Renewable Energy Authority, and Eng. Osamu Sakagami, representing the consortium, in the presence of Mr. Fumio Iwai, Ambassador of Japan to Egypt, Mr. Ibisawa Yu, Chief Representative of JICA Egypt Office, and the accompanying delegation.

The agreement includes the implementation steps and timeline for the project to be carried out in Hurghada, with an annual production of 48,000 MWh—36,000 MWh from the solar power plant and 12,000 MWh from the battery storage system—resulting in a reduction of 26,400 tons of CO₂ emissions.

The agreement also covers the establishment of an eco-friendly information center (Zero Energy Building) adjacent to the plant, relying mainly on renewable energy sources and designed to enhance energy efficiency. The center will be equipped with modern facilities, equipment, and meeting halls to promote the use of renewable energy and serve as an international training hub for professionals from both the public and private sectors.

Dr. Mahmoud Esmat affirmed that the electricity sector is working with international partners to promote renewable energy applications, reduce carbon emissions, and diversify energy sources. He highlighted the action plan to maximize the benefits of new and renewable energy resources and the state’s efforts to create an attractive investment environment that supports private sector participation.

He emphasized the significance the electricity and renewable energy sector attaches to expanding renewable energy use, reducing carbon emissions, and diversifying energy sources, referring to Egypt’s National Energy Strategy, which aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the energy mix to over 42% by 2030 and 65% by 2040, while reducing dependence on fossil fuels to help protect the environment and enhance economic returns.

Dr. Esmat praised the partnership and cooperation with JICA, stressing the acceleration of implementation steps for ongoing projects to increase the share of renewable energy connected to the national electricity grid, confirming that the private sector is a key partner in renewable energy projects.