Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt is intensifying its push to localize renewable energy technologies, holding high-level talks with China Energy focused on manufacturing solar cells and energy storage batteries domestically. In a recent meeting, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat met with representatives of the Chinese energy giant to explore opportunities for deeper cooperation in solar and battery storage development.
According to a statement from Egypt’s Ministry of Electricity, the discussions included ambitious plans to develop 1,000 megawatts (MW) of solar power projects, alongside a 600-MW battery energy storage system and an additional 1,000-MW standalone energy storage project.
The talks also centered on broader efforts to facilitate technology transfer and support local industry, as Egypt works to position itself as a regional hub for clean energy manufacturing. Esmat emphasized that the government is implementing a comprehensive strategy under the National Energy Strategy to modernize the national electricity grid, expand renewable capacity, and prioritize local content.
“Increasing the local component in renewable energy projects is a top priority,” Esmat said, noting that new regulations are being developed to raise the local content threshold to at least 60%. He added that Egypt is actively seeking to attract more foreign direct investment and international technology providers to strengthen its domestic renewable energy value chain.
Egypt has already made strides toward localizing renewable technology production. In late 2024, Chinese manufacturer Elite Solar began constructing a solar manufacturing facility in the Suez Canal Economic Zone in Sokhna. The factory, which will produce N-type solar cells and module-cell-wafer photovoltaic systems, is designed with an annual capacity of 2 gigawatts (GW).
The first phase of the plant is expected to begin operations in September 2025.
The collaboration with China Energy builds on Egypt’s broader goals to diversify its energy mix, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and establish itself as a regional leader in sustainable energy production. With abundant solar resources and a strategic geographic location, Egypt is targeting significant increases in solar and wind power capacity over the coming decade.
The latest engagement signals growing momentum behind Egypt’s clean energy localization drive, combining industrial policy with strategic global partnerships to accelerate the country’s energy transition.
