Egypt has raised its clean energy target to 45 per cent of its electricity mix by 2028, accelerating its energy transition agenda and bringing forward its earlier goal of 42 per cent by 2030, the presidency said.
The revised target was announced on Monday during a high-level meeting chaired by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, which reviewed progress on renewable energy and storage projects across the country.
Officials said the government is pushing ahead with a series of large-scale solar, wind and energy storage projects totalling several gigawatts, as part of efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and modernise the national grid.
“The president stressed the need to accelerate the implementation of these projects and to overcome all the difficulties and challenges related to them, emphasizing that the deadlines set for the completion of the works and the connection of these installations to the national electricity grid must be strictly respected,” the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.
Despite rapid expansion in renewable capacity, fossil fuels still account for about 87 per cent of Egypt’s electricity generation, underscoring the scale of the transition required to meet the new target.
Among the flagship projects under development is the second phase of the 500-megawatt Obelisk solar project in Nag Hammadi, which is expected to be connected to the grid in May 2026.
Other major developments include a 900-megawatt wind farm in Ras Shukeir, scheduled for completion in 2027, and a 1,700-megawatt solar project in Minya governorate.
The government is also advancing multiple energy storage systems across Minya, Alexandria and Qena, with a combined announced capacity of around 4,000 megawatts. Officials say the storage projects are intended to improve grid stability and support the integration of intermittent renewable sources.
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Energy analysts say Egypt’s accelerated timeline reflects both rising domestic electricity demand and increasing global pressure on emerging economies to expand clean energy adoption.
The country has emerged as a regional hub for renewable energy investment in North Africa, attracting financing from multilateral lenders and international energy companies seeking exposure to solar and wind markets.
However, experts caution that achieving the revised target will depend on timely project execution, grid infrastructure upgrades and sustained investor confidence in the sector.
While the government continues to prioritise renewable expansion, natural gas remains a dominant source of power generation, highlighting the gradual nature of Egypt’s transition away from fossil fuels.
The accelerated target places Egypt among a growing number of developing economies moving forward their climate and energy transition goals in response to climate commitments and shifting global energy dynamics.
