Latest news with #Esmat
Egypt Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egypt's El-Dabaa Nuclear Project Reaches Milestone with Incoming Turbine Generator
Egypt's Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy has confirmed that the El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant will receive the turbine generator for its first reactor unit before the end of 2025 — marking a major milestone in the country's flagship energy project. Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mahmoud Esmat, recently visited the facilities of Arabell Solutions and Framatome in Belfort, France, to inspect progress on the manufacturing of key components for the El-Dabaa reactors. The visit focused on reviewing the production status of power-generating turbines and evaluating the readiness of critical electrical systems, including generator assemblies and turbine parts. During the visit, the minister also examined the latest developments in the technical testing of the turbine generator for Unit 1. According to a statement issued by the ministry on Tuesday, Esmat was briefed by senior representatives from the two French companies regarding the readiness and performance of the plant's core electrical infrastructure. The ministry emphasized that the incoming turbine will be the largest of its kind ever installed in Egypt — and across the African continent — underscoring the scale and significance of the El-Dabaa project within the region's energy landscape.
Daily News Egypt
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Electricity Minister visits Europe's largest pumped-storage hydropower station to discuss renewable integration
As part of Egypt's efforts to modernize its energy infrastructure and expand renewable energy adoption, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat began his visit to France by touring the Grand Maison plant—Europe's largest pumped-storage hydropower station. The Grand Maison facility, located in the French Alps, plays a vital role in grid stability and is a flagship site for several EU-funded projects aimed at testing smart technologies that enhance hydropower's ability to support modern electricity networks. With a capacity of 1,800 megawatts and advanced reversible turbine systems, the plant is capable of quickly ramping up to full output in just three minutes, producing an annual total of 1,420 gigawatt-hours. The minister's visit falls within the framework of Egypt's national energy strategy and the electricity sector's plan to increase the share of renewable energy in the country's energy mix. This transition necessitates integrating advanced storage solutions—such as pumped-storage hydropower—to ensure the stability and sustainability of the national grid. During the visit, Esmat received a comprehensive briefing from plant officials on the Grand Maison's operational structure, including its two power stations—one above ground for conventional hydropower and another underground for pumping and generation. Officials also highlighted the plant's dual-mode turbine systems, which generate electricity during peak demand and operate as pumps during off-peak hours, storing energy for later use. Esmat praised the technological advancements at the facility, particularly its structural design, operating systems, and coordination with grid operators. He stressed the importance of Egypt learning from and collaborating with French expertise, especially in areas such as clean energy, grid stability, pumped-storage technology, smart control centers, technical training, and energy loss reduction. The minister emphasized Egypt's openness to expanding partnerships with French energy companies and attracting greater investment in the Egyptian energy sector. He reiterated the Ministry's commitment to encouraging both domestic and international private sector participation in energy infrastructure projects. Esmat reaffirmed the Ministry's strategic focus on diversifying the energy mix and enhancing the share of renewables in electricity generation. Under Egypt's national energy strategy, renewable energy is expected to account for over 42% of total generation by 2030 and 60% by 2040. The plan includes large-scale integration of energy storage technologies and the development of pumped-storage facilities to ensure reliability and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The minister concluded by highlighting Egypt's dedication to maximizing the use of its natural resources, reducing carbon emissions, and transitioning to a low-carbon energy future through innovation, international cooperation, and robust private sector engagement.
Daily News Egypt
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt approves $388m in private renewable energy projects for direct industrial supply
Egypt's Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mahmoud Esmat, has awarded qualification certificates to four companies selected to operate under the country's newly adopted private-to-private (P2P) power agreement model. The initiative allows private energy producers to generate and sell electricity directly to industrial consumers, marking a transformative step in Egypt's energy liberalization strategy and commitment to sustainable development. The approved projects represent a combined capacity of 400 megawatts and total investments of $388m. Each company will build its own renewable energy power plant and supply electricity directly to industrial clients, while paying a transmission fee to the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC). These agreements are structured with no financial burden on the state and do not require sovereign guarantees. Among the newly qualified projects, Neptune for Electricity Production and Sales will supply solar power to the Suez Steel Plant. AMEA Power will provide electricity from its solar facility to the Suez Canal Container Terminal and Bivar Group for Chemicals. TAQA PV is set to supply Ezz Steel through a hybrid solar and wind power station, while ENARA for Renewable Energy Services will generate electricity from a hybrid facility for both the Helwan Fertilizers plant and the Alamein Silicon Products Complex. Minister Esmat stated that the initiative is being implemented in line with Egypt's Electricity Law, which is designed to open the market to competition, enhance efficiency, and attract private investment. He emphasized that liberalizing the electricity sector is a key strategic step in building a dynamic, competitive energy market that reduces costs, improves service quality, and strengthens Egypt's role as a regional energy hub. The Minister highlighted that the P2P framework enables industrial consumers to secure reliable, renewable electricity while contributing to their climate goals. These projects will also allow companies to certify their clean energy usage and reduce emissions, facilitating access to green export markets. Esmat noted that the Egyptian Electric Utility and Consumer Protection Regulatory Agency had completed its review of qualification submissions from seven companies, each proposing 100-megawatt renewable energy projects. The evaluation process was conducted in collaboration with a global consulting firm and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which helped develop the regulatory guidelines and legal framework for the P2P agreements. He reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to building a transparent and investor-friendly environment that enables both producers and consumers to actively participate in Egypt's energy transition. These efforts are integral to supporting the national green economy agenda, expanding renewable energy capacity, and modernizing the country's power infrastructure.
Egypt Today
28-05-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egypt Greenlights Private Sector Renewable Projects in $388M Move Toward Energy Market Reform
The Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy has awarded qualification certificates to four private-sector renewable energy projects, comprising both solar and wind technologies. With a total generation capacity of 400 megawatts and a combined investment of $388 million, these projects mark a major milestone in Egypt's strategy to liberalize its electricity market and encourage private sector involvement in clean energy. According to the ministry's statement, the approved companies will be responsible for constructing the power plants and directly selling the generated electricity to industrial consumers. The electricity will be transmitted through the national grid by the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company, which will receive a transmission fee. Crucially, this model requires no financial contributions or guarantees from the government, reducing the public sector's burden and empowering private entities to take a leading role in the country's energy transition. The selected projects include Neptune for Electricity Production and Sales, which will power the Suez Steel factory using solar energy. AMEA Power will supply electricity from a solar station to the Suez Canal Container Terminal and Bivar Chemicals. Meanwhile, Taqa PV will deliver energy to Ezz Steel via a hybrid solar and wind facility. Enara for Renewable Energy Services will provide electricity to both the Helwan Fertilizer Factory and the Alamein Silicon Products Complex through a similar hybrid system. Minister of Electricity Mahmoud Esmat explained that the Electricity Utility and Consumer Protection Regulatory Agency evaluated a total of seven private-sector proposals, each aiming to build 100-megawatt renewable energy plants. These reviews were conducted in cooperation with a global consultancy and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which also helped develop the regulatory framework and agreements enabling private sector engagement through the Power-to-Power (P2P) system. Esmat highlighted that this initiative is a key component of a larger governmental agenda grounded in Egypt's Electricity Law. The law is designed to create a competitive electricity market by allowing producers, consumers, and distributors to operate in a more dynamic and open environment. This shift is expected to enhance service quality, lower electricity costs, and attract long-term investments into Egypt's energy infrastructure, positioning the country as a regional leader in renewable energy development.
Daily News Egypt
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt, Sweden strengthen clean energy partnership with focus on storage, grid integration
In a high-level meeting aimed at advancing energy cooperation, Egypt's Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mahmoud Esmat, received Swedish Minister for Foreign Trade and International Development Cooperation, Benjamin Dousa, at the Ministry's headquarters in the New Administrative Capital. Also in attendance were Dag Juhlin-Dannfelt, Sweden's Ambassador to Cairo; Gaber Desouky, Chairperson of the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company; Mona Rizk, Chairperson of the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company; and senior officials from both governments, as well as representatives from joint Egyptian-Swedish renewable energy ventures. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral collaboration across several strategic areas, including renewable electricity generation, large-scale energy storage, grid interconnection with Europe, green hydrogen production, technology innovation, and knowledge transfer. The two sides explored ways to integrate renewable energy more effectively into Egypt's national grid, enhance grid stability, and boost the efficiency of clean energy distribution. Emphasis was placed on storage solutions to optimize the use of intermittent renewable sources such as solar and wind. Key topics included wind energy, green hydrogen projects, and hydropower. The Swedish Development Finance Institute's support in funding studies related to capacity planning and the integration of renewables was also reviewed. Notably, the discussions included updates on a planned 1,000-megawatt independent battery storage system and progress on Egypt–EU electricity interconnection initiatives. The talks also highlighted ongoing projects involving Swedish firms and explored new investment opportunities, in line with Egypt's broader energy diversification strategy. Officials underscored the importance of private sector involvement and international partnerships in achieving the country's clean energy goals. Minister Esmat praised Sweden's continued support for Egypt's national energy strategy, which aims to raise the share of renewables in the energy mix to 42% by 2030 and 65% by 2040. He acknowledged the value of Swedish technical studies in supporting capacity planning and grid modernization. He emphasized that most renewable projects in Egypt are implemented by both local and international private-sector entities, including active participation from Swedish companies in solar and wind power. Esmat also reiterated Egypt's commitment to becoming a regional energy hub through cross-border electricity interconnection, enabling the export of surplus renewable energy—especially from solar and wind—to European markets. He stressed the importance of grid upgrades and increased renewable capacity in achieving this goal. Concluding the meeting, Minister Esmat reaffirmed that electricity remains a national priority, as it underpins development across all sectors. With its abundant wind and solar resources, Egypt is well-positioned to lead in clean energy. Recent legislative reforms have been enacted to attract investment and support the country's transition toward a sustainable, low-carbon future.
