Egypt has expanded its renewable energy capacity to 9.1 gigawatts (GW) in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025/2026, up from 8.6 GW a year earlier, reinforcing its position as one of Africa’s leading clean energy markets.
According to the latest NREAmeter bulletin published in January by the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA), solar and wind power accounted for more than 6.2 GW of the total installed renewable capacity. Wind energy reached 3 GW, while solar installations exceeded 3.2 GW, reflecting sustained investment momentum in both segments.
With a population of roughly 108 million and one of the continent’s largest power systems, Egypt has steadily scaled up renewables to diversify its energy mix and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. On a combined basis, the country ranks among Africa’s top renewable energy markets, behind South Africa, which recorded 13.5 GW of renewable capacity at the end of 2024, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
Private-sector participation has been central to Egypt’s renewable expansion model. Independent power producers developed more than 2.9 GW of solar capacity and over 1.6 GW of wind capacity, highlighting the strong role of foreign and domestic private investment. In contrast, Egypt’s 2.82 GW of hydropower capacity remains publicly owned.
Beyond installed capacity, Egypt is advancing a substantial project pipeline. Approximately 4 GW of renewable energy projects are currently under construction, while an additional 14 GW are in development, primarily in wind and solar. Together, these projects represent 18 GW of future capacity aimed at accelerating the country’s energy transition.
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The expansion aligns with Egypt’s national objective of increasing the share of renewables in its electricity mix to 42 percent by 2030. Government strategy relies heavily on private investors to deliver most of the planned additions, supported by long-term power purchase agreements and regulatory reforms designed to enhance investor confidence.
Officials have also emphasized the importance of linking renewable deployment to industrial development. Authorities are targeting the localization of electrical components, solar inverters, and related clean-energy equipment manufacturing to strengthen domestic value chains. By fostering local production and technical skills, Egypt aims to capture more economic benefits from its energy transition.
The country’s renewable push comes amid broader regional and global shifts toward cleaner energy systems. Rising electricity demand, climate commitments, and falling technology costs have combined to accelerate investment in wind and solar across emerging markets. For Egypt, expanding renewables also supports energy security and export ambitions, including potential electricity interconnections with neighboring countries.
Analysts note that maintaining momentum will depend on grid upgrades, storage solutions, and continued regulatory clarity. Integrating variable renewable sources such as wind and solar into a large national grid requires transmission expansion and balancing capacity to ensure stability.
Nevertheless, with over 9 GW already installed and 18 GW in the pipeline, Egypt appears firmly on track to consolidate its leadership in Africa’s renewable sector. If projects under construction and development proceed as planned, the country could significantly reshape its power mix within the next five years, reinforcing its 2030 target and positioning itself as a regional clean-energy hub.
