Power interconnection project with Saudi Arabia reviewed
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi held a meeting Saturday with Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli and Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mohamed Shaker to discuss progress on a number of electricity projects in different parts of Egypt and electrical interconnectivity with other countries.
The president appraised progress on renewable energy projects, Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Bassam Radi said, adding that the president also assessed steps taken in the construction of the main control centre in the electricity grid of the New Administrative Capital.
Minister Shaker briefed the president about the measures taken in implementing the electricity interconnection project with Saudi Arabia.
Power lines have already been extended and a number of power transfer stations have already been constructed on both sides, the minister said.
He added that the interconnection project would help the two countries exchange electricity and achieve mutual economic benefits throughout the year in the light of the needs of each side.
Minister Shaker also briefed the president about the steps taken for finalising the necessary infrastructure for power lines in the northern coast.
He also clarified the projects his ministry implements for modifying the paths of some lines that obstruct some development and construction projects in the same area.
The president directed the minister, meanwhile, to formulate a specific schedule for finalising projects in this regard, Ambassador Radi said.
The completion of electricity projects and modifications in this area will contribute to easing the movement of citizens, especially in road axes that connect Alexandria and the cities of the northern coast, the president said.
Spokesman Radi noted that Minister Shaker also reviewed ongoing projects for the production of electricity from new and renewable sources.
The minister especially dwelt on the generation of electricity from wind and solar power, in co-operation with private sector and foreign companies, within the framework of Egypt’s strategy for integrated and sustainable energy.
This strategy, the minister said, aims to increase the generation of electricity from new and renewable sources to 42 per cent by the year 2035.
The president directed the minister of electricity to move ahead in the implementation of the national plan to enhance renewable energy component and maximise its value with the aim of diversifying the sources of energy on which Egypt’s development process depends, Ambassador Radi said.
He added that discussions also focused on co-operation with foreign companies in the production of energy from green hydrogen.
The spokesman noted that the president gave directives for formulating an integrated national strategy for hydrogen production with participation of all sectors in Egypt.
Egypt has to possess the capacity in the field of hydrogen production and exploitation, Ambassador Radi quoted the president as saying during the meeting.
He added that the president noted that possessing this capacity would help Egypt keep pace with global developments in this field in co-operation with foreign partners with expertise in this field.
He said the president called for adding green hydrogen energy to the integrated national energy system, in light of the growing international interest in green hydrogen projects and green hydrogen as a promising energy source in the future.
