Egypt is accelerating its shift toward renewable energy, placing solar power at the centre of its long-term energy transition strategy as rising regional tensions and disruptions in natural gas supplies strain the country’s power system.
Authorities say the push is aimed at improving energy security, reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels and easing pressure on the national electricity grid, particularly for energy-intensive industries.
The strategy comes as Egypt expands its renewable energy capacity, with solar photovoltaic systems increasingly seen as a key pillar of the country’s clean energy roadmap.
The Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy is currently studying an initiative to encourage factories to install rooftop solar systems, allowing industrial users to generate their own electricity and reduce dependence on the grid. The plan is being developed in coordination with other government agencies.
The initiative forms part of Egypt’s broader target of raising the share of renewable energy to 45 percent of the national energy mix by 2028.
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Data shows that solar energy has already made measurable gains in Egypt’s power structure, accounting for about 14.8 terawatt-hours of consumption, or 1.32 percent of total energy use. While fossil fuels remain dominant—led by natural gas at 53.29 percent and oil at 39.23 percent—solar is gradually expanding its footprint ahead of other renewables such as wind.
Within the renewable energy segment, solar and photovoltaic systems now account for roughly 34 percent of Egypt’s total renewable energy mix, positioning it as the second-largest renewable source after hydropower.
The country has already implemented large-scale projects, including the 1,465 MW Benban Solar Park, one of the largest solar installations in the world, alongside other developments such as the Kuraymat Solar Plant, Kom Ombo Solar Plant, and Abydos 1 Solar Power Plant.
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Additional capacity is being added through new projects under construction, including the Abydos 2 Solar Power Plant with 1,000 MW capacity, the Hurghada Solar Plant, and Scatec-backed developments also targeting 1,000 MW.
Further large-scale projects in the pipeline include a 1,200 MW initiative led by the Hassan Allam–Masdar–Infinity alliance, a 2,100 MW Voltalia project, and a 500 MW State Grid development.
Officials say the expansion reflects a structural shift in Egypt’s energy planning, as the country seeks to diversify its power mix and reduce vulnerability to external shocks affecting gas imports and global fuel markets.
Energy analysts note that Egypt’s renewable strategy is also driven by industrial demand growth and the need to stabilise electricity supply for manufacturing hubs, which have faced intermittent pressure during recent energy disruptions.
Despite rapid progress, fossil fuels still dominate Egypt’s energy system, but the government’s pipeline of solar projects suggests a gradual rebalancing over the coming decade as investments in clean energy scale up.
