Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt is pressing ahead with a dual-track energy strategy that combines large-scale investment in renewable power with efforts to modernize and optimize its existing oil refining infrastructure, as the country seeks to strengthen energy security, manage rising demand, and position itself as a regional energy hub.
On the clean energy front, Egypt has signed renewable energy agreements worth a combined $1.8 billion, according to state television, marking one of the latest milestones in its push to expand solar power generation and energy storage capacity. The deals include partnerships with Norway’s Scatec and China’s Sungrow, reflecting Cairo’s efforts to attract foreign investment and technology from a diverse range of international players.
A flagship project under the agreements is a solar power plant and battery storage complex to be developed by Scatec in Minya, Upper Egypt. The project is expected to deliver 1.7 gigawatts of generation capacity, supported by battery storage systems totaling 4 gigawatt hours, enabling electricity to be supplied even after sunset and during peak demand periods. In parallel, Sungrow will establish a factory in the Suez Canal Economic Zone to manufacture energy storage batteries, with part of its output earmarked for the Minya project.
Scatec has also signed power purchase agreements covering a total of 1.95 gigawatts of capacity and 3.9 gigawatt hours of battery storage, providing long-term revenue visibility and supporting project financing. Egyptian officials have said such agreements are critical if the country is to meet its goal of sourcing 42 percent of electricity generation from renewable energy by 2030, a target that remains ambitious amid financing and infrastructure constraints.
While accelerating the energy transition, Egypt continues to invest in its conventional energy assets to ensure short- and medium-term fuel security. In this context, Salah Abdel Kerim, Chief Executive of the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC), conducted a field visit to the Alexandria Petroleum Company and the Middle East Oil Refinery to assess progress on refinery rehabilitation and efficiency upgrades, according to a statement from the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.
The visit comes as part of directives from Minister Karim Badawi to fast-track the modernization of refining assets across the sector. At the Alexandria Petroleum Company, Abdel Kerim reviewed the rehabilitation of boiler units, a national project being implemented by a specialized team from the Cairo Oil Refining Company. The initiative aims to improve refining efficiency while complying with strict safety and operational standards.
During meetings with EGPC leadership and refinery management, Abdel Kerim emphasized that institutional development, optimal asset utilization, and adherence to rigorous operating procedures are central pillars of the ministry’s strategy. He also addressed challenges facing ongoing rehabilitation projects, underscoring the importance of protecting personnel and maintaining operational stability during upgrades.
At the MIDOR refinery, one of Egypt’s most advanced refining facilities, Abdel Kerim followed up on comprehensive maintenance programs intended to restore the plant to full operational capacity. The tour included inspections of the main control room and coordination meetings with Petromaint teams responsible for executing the maintenance works.
MIDOR plays a key role in supplying high-value petroleum products to the domestic market. Ongoing expansion and maintenance activities are expected to allow the refinery to operate at its full capacity of 170,000 barrels per day, enhancing national fuel security and maximizing value added from both domestic and imported crude oil.
Together, the renewable energy investments and refinery modernization efforts illustrate Egypt’s attempt to balance long-term decarbonization goals with immediate economic and energy realities. As electricity demand grows and global energy markets remain volatile, officials view this integrated approach as essential to securing supplies, reducing costs, and maintaining flexibility during the transition to a lower-carbon energy system.
