Major Egyptian projects beat the clock

From the newsletter

Egypt has completed the construction of a 500 MW solar plant, just a few weeks after announcing another 500 MW wind project that was finished six months ahead of schedule. The country is showing success in delivering large-scale projects, which many countries have failed at either due to funding shortfalls or project complexities.

• Egypt has relied on public-private partnerships to deliver mega-projects that would otherwise be tricky due to the government’s financial challenges, a common problem in Africa.

• Taking a step forward by allowing private-to-private power supply, Egypt last week approved the first batch of 400 MW of renewable energy projects from independent power producers (IPPs) for direct supply to industrial clients.

More details

• The Kom Ombo plant, started in March 2023, was developed by China Energy Construction and supported by UAE-based AMEA Power. It features over one million solar panels and a 220 kV booster station, with a direct current installed capacity of 560 MW. It is expected to supply clean electricity to approximately 256,000 households annually and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 760,000 tons each year.

• Egypt has potential renewable energy, particularly in areas like the Gulf of Suez and Aswan. Our Renewables Rising projects database estimates over 4,800 MW of renewable projects in the pipeline since February 2025. Most of these are large-scale solar + battery storage projects. 

• The country is strategically diversifying its energy to support its goal to produce 42% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035. It has secured funding of at least $4.7 billion to support multiple energy projects in wind, solar and battery storage.

• The dual successes in both solar and wind power reveal Egypt’s diverse approach to renewable energy development. It enhances energy security by reducing reliance on a single source of clean energy and leverages solar and wind resources effectively.

• Egypt's government also provides stable regulatory frameworks, including long-term power purchase agreements and streamlined permitting, which de-risks projects for private investors. This has allowed private developers like AMEA Power and Red Sea Wind Energy to build and operate large-scale renewable plants.

• The country’s success in renewables is fully replicable across Africa. Other countries can accelerate their clean energy transitions by streamlining policies to create an enabling environment and actively engaging private partners to develop and implement renewable infrastructure will be crucial steps to unlock sustainable economic growth.

Our take

• Has Egypt cracked the code for fast-tracking renewables? Its mix of strong PPPs, international collaboration, stable policies, and resource-rich geography offers a compelling blueprint. 

• The next challenge will be sustaining this momentum while ensuring grid integration, local capacity building, and equitable access to clean energy across the country.

• If Egypt is doing it, other African nations pursuing energy freedom with renewables can too. The next best thing to do is to re-strategise and follow Egypt's blueprint by reforming policies and incentivising renewable adoption in their nations.