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Egypt advances renewable energy with new solar capacity and 'Energy Valley' project
via Egypt Today3 min read
Egypt is moving forward with its renewable energy expansion plans, including new solar generation capacity and the 'Energy Valley' project. Electricity and Renewable Energy Minister Mahmoud Esmat announced during a meeting with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi that the second phase of the Obelisk solar power plant, with a 500-megawatt capacity, is set to connect to the national grid in the coming weeks. The first phase, also 500 megawatts, along with a 200 megawatt-hour energy storage facility, was connected earlier this year. These efforts are part of a strategy to increase renewable energy's contribution to Egypt's energy mix to 45% within two years. The 'Energy Valley' project in Minya governorate, described as one of the world's largest integrated clean energy projects, will feature 1.7 gigawatts alternating current of solar photovoltaic generation and 4 GWh of battery energy storage across Minya, Qena, and Alexandria. President El-Sisi emphasized the importance of these projects for expanding clean energy use, reducing carbon emissions, diversifying energy sources, and localizing renewable energy industries to strengthen energy security and advance Egypt's green transition. He also directed the government to expand energy storage systems, improve electricity supply quality, and enhance the efficiency of conventional fuel use.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Egypt Today.
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has directed the Egyptian government to expand energy storage systems, enhance electricity supply quality, and improve the efficiency of conventional fuel use. These directives were issued during a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat, where they reviewed progress on electricity grid upgrades and renewable energy projects. The discussions included the implementation status of 105 projects aimed at strengthening the national electricity grid and plans to connect solar and wind energy projects to the grid by 2027. El-Sisi emphasized the need for a stable national grid and adherence to project timelines to support Egypt's energy transition. The meeting also covered plans to increase renewable energy's contribution to 45% of Egypt's energy mix within two years, including the operation of the first phase of the Obelisk Solar Power Plant and the upcoming connection of its second phase. The President called for regular monitoring of renewable energy projects and continued cooperation among state institutions and private-sector partners. He also highlighted the importance of the Energy Valley project in Minya governorate, which aims to be one of the world's largest integrated clean energy projects, featuring 1.7 GWac solar photovoltaic generation and 4 GWh battery energy storage systems. El-Sisi stressed that localizing renewable energy industries is crucial for strengthening energy
Must ReadPresident Abdel Fattah El-Sisi will participate in the Group of Seven G7 summit in Evian, France, from June 15 to 17, 2026. The Egyptian Presidency announced that El-Sisi will hold bilateral talks with leaders of participating countries, including US President Donald Trump. This meeting follows their previous engagements, such as the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2026 and co-chairing the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit for Peace in October 2025, where they signed a declaration to end the war in Gaza. Egypt is actively supporting a prospective deal between the United States and Iran to end the Middle East war and is working to advance the Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The G7 summit, hosted by France, will gather heads of state and government from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US, along with invited partner countries like Egypt. Egypt's participation, its second at a G7 summit, highlights its role in promoting development and stability in the Middle East. Discussions will cover global economic growth, geopolitical crises, trade, energy, supply chains, Sustainable Development Goals, digitalization, and artificial intelligence. Chiefs of the European Council and European Commission, as well as heads of international and regional organizations, will also attend.
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has departed for Belgium and Luxembourg to co-chair the 11th meeting of the Association Council between the European Union and Egypt. In Brussels, Abdelatty will meet with senior EU officials. He will then proceed to Luxembourg to co-chair the Association Council with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, with Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica representing the European Commission. The Council will review the implementation of the EU-Egypt Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership, launched in March 2024, focusing on political relations, economic stability, trade and investment, migration and mobility, security, and demography and human capital. Discussions will also cover regional and global issues, including developments in the Middle East and North Africa. Abdelatty is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with European foreign ministers and senior officials.