Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mohamed Shaker, recently sat down with Andreas Matthe, CEO of Siemens Smart Infrastructure’s Electrical Products Business Unit. The meeting, attended by Mostafa El-Bagoury, CEO of Siemens Egypt, and Mohamed Badran, Head of Siemens Egypt’s LV and MV business, aimed to explore collaboration opportunities in Egypt’s electricity and renewable energy sector and potential investments.
Minister Shaker underlined the strong historical relationship between Egypt and Germany, especially in collaboration with Siemens across multiple domains. He emphasized the ongoing partnership between Egypt’s electricity sector and Siemens in the implementation of numerous projects and programs, harnessing their expertise and technological advancements.
One of the standout achievements discussed was the successful collaboration between Egypt and Siemens in constructing three large power stations with a combined capacity of 14.4 gigawatts, boasting an impressive efficiency rate of 60.5%. This accomplishment has led to substantial fuel savings for Egypt, contributing to its energy sustainability.
As part of Egypt’s ambitious strategy to achieve a renewable energy share of over 42% by 2030, Minister Shaker mentioned the cooperation with international companies to kickstart pilot projects for green hydrogen production in Egypt. This marks the initial step towards broader engagement in the green hydrogen sector and potential export possibilities. He revealed that during the recent Climate Conference COP 27, 23 memoranda of understanding were signed, including 9 framework agreements with major companies operating in the field of green hydrogen.
Minister Shaker’s enthusiasm for green hydrogen as a promising future energy source was evident. He emphasized Egypt’s exploration of various alternatives for hydrogen generation and utilization, drawing inspiration from international experiences in this domain. Furthermore, he highlighted Egypt’s commitment to becoming a gateway for clean energy in Africa and supporting other African nations in accessing renewable energy sources.
Notably, the Egyptian government is keen on localizing industries essential for renewable energy and green hydrogen projects, a move that aligns with its national strategy. The Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy is also considering electrical interconnection projects with neighboring countries, such as Cyprus and Greece, and the export of electricity to Europe, showcasing a commitment to regional and global energy cooperation.
Mr. Matthe, CEO of Siemens Smart Infrastructure’s Electrical Products Business Unit, praised the rapid progress of projects undertaken by the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy and the sector’s achievements within a relatively short time frame. He expressed a strong desire to strengthen collaboration in various areas and commended the extensive expertise of Egypt’s electricity and renewable energy sector across all domains.
The collaboration with the Egyptian electricity and renewable energy sector aligns well with Siemens’ focus on energy transition, the expansion of renewable energy projects, and environmental preservation. Mr. Matthe also expressed Siemens’ interest in increasing investments in Egypt, emphasizing their commitment to supporting Egypt’s ambitious visions for a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
As Egypt continues its journey toward renewable energy and green hydrogen, partnerships with global leaders like Siemens will undoubtedly play a crucial role in achieving the nation’s ambitious goals.
