Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat has stressed the importance of supporting the electricity interconnection project between Egypt and Cyprus, monitoring its implementation, and expanding investment in renewable energy, particularly solar and wind power, as part of efforts to strengthen regional energy security and deepen co-operation with Cyprus and Greece.
The minister made the remarks during his meeting with the Ambassador of Cyprus to Cairo, Polly Ioannou, and her accompanying delegation at the Ministry’s headquarters in the New Capital.
As the meeting started, the minister welcomed the Cypriot ambassador, highlighting the deep historical and strategic ties between Egypt and Cyprus and their close co-operation in electricity and renewable energy.
He said the interconnection project, with future plans to extend the connection to Greece and subsequently to Europe, represents a key component of this partnership.
Minister Esmat further underscored the importance of increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy mix, expanding joint investment in clean energy generation and transmission, and modernising and strengthening the electricity grids of both countries to accommodate and transmit new renewable energy sources.
He also stressed the importance of regional energy integration through closer cooperation among Egypt, Cyprus and Greece and the integration of energy infrastructure within Egypt’s national energy strategy.
The minister explained that the interconnection project would increase available capacity and benefit both countries’ electricity grids, while supporting renewable energy investment and the exchange of expertise in industry and sustainable development.
He added that work is focused on maximising the value of Egypt’s natural resources for renewable generation.
Electricity interconnections with neighbouring countries, he noted, support energy exchange, supply security and continuity, grid stability, and Egypt’s role as a regional energy hub.
For her part, the Cypriot ambassador praised the historic ties between the two countries and reaffirmed the Cypriot government’s strong interest in the interconnection project, highlighting its economic importance and benefits and its contribution to strengthening the friendship and co-operation between Egypt and Cyprus.
