CAIRO – Electricity and Renewable Energy Minister Mahmoud Esmat held talks with a delegation from China Southern Power Grid International (CSGI) on enhancing cooperation in electricity transmission, distribution, pumped-storage hydropower, energy control systems, and renewable energy integration.
The discussions focused on several key areas of cooperation, particularly energy planning systems and pumped-storage projects.
These initiatives aim to support the stability and efficiency of the unified grid as renewable energy capacity expands.
The talks covered the wider adoption of loss-reduction technologies in distribution networks and the development of innovative operational models.
The meeting, held at the ministry’s headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, reviewed the results of the pilot loss-reduction project in Abu Rawash under the South Cairo Electricity Distribution Company.
The project applies advanced technologies and operational expertise from the Chinese side to implement a fully integrated, tailor-made solution for the local grid.
It has led to improved operational efficiency and reduced losses, and discussions explored adopting this model as a framework for broader distribution network upgrades.
The talks also highlighted the importance of technology transfer and adapting network characteristics to modern solutions.
These include smart monitoring, line restructuring, and load optimization, all aimed at building an integrated system supported by both technical advancements and administrative improvements.
The two sides discussed implementation pathways, investment-return plans, and commercial partnership frameworks for the next phase.
They also examined cooperation opportunities in pumped-storage hydropower projects, which Esmat described as vital for ensuring continuity, sustainability, and stability of the national grid amid the shift toward renewable energy and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.
Esmat said the ministry is implementing a comprehensive plan to enhance service quality, improve energy efficiency, rationalize consumption, and reduce losses.
This plan is being carried out in cooperation with local and international partners, making use of modern technologies to upgrade the services provided, he added.
He further noted that several pilot models are being applied across industrial, residential, and commercial sectors.
The minister underscored the importance of pumped-storage projects as a stable source of clean energy within the national energy strategy and the country’s shift toward renewables and grid modernization.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to transforming the electricity grid into a smart network and continuing the systematic upgrading of capacities and infrastructure to accommodate the growing renewable energy generation added each year.
Esmat also underlined Egypt’s focus on diversifying its energy mix and increasing the share of clean and renewable sources to more than 42% by 2030 and over 65% by 2040, in line with the national energy strategy.
He stressed the importance of maximizing the efficient use of natural resources and praised ongoing cooperation with Chinese companies and institutions.
