Egypt targets 1.7 GW in new renewable energy capacity this year

Egypt plans to add 1,700 megawatts of renewable energy projects, mainly solar power, to the national electricity grid by the end of this year, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat said on Wednesday.

The plan also includes adding 720 megawatt-hours of battery energy storage capacity, Esmat said during a Cabinet meeting, according to a Cabinet statement.

The planned additions are expected to raise Egypt’s total installed renewable energy capacity to 11,216 megawatts by the end of the year, while battery storage capacity is set to reach 1,220 megawatt-hours.

Egypt’s current installed renewable energy capacity stands at 9,516 megawatts. This includes 2,982 megawatts of hydropower, 3,500 megawatts of solar power, and 3,034 megawatts of wind power, alongside 500 megawatt-hours of battery storage capacity.

Esmat said the ministry will continue expanding clean energy projects over the coming years. Installed renewable energy capacity is expected to reach 16,776 megawatts by the end of 2027, including 2,982 megawatts of hydropower, 8,920 megawatts of solar power, and 4,874 megawatts of wind power.

Battery storage capacity is also planned to rise significantly to 11,820 megawatt-hours by the end of 2027.

In 2028, Egypt aims to increase renewable energy capacity further to 27,705 megawatts through the addition of 3,800 megawatts of solar power and 7,129 megawatts of wind power. Battery storage capacity is expected to reach 14,320 megawatt-hours following the addition of 2,500 megawatt-hours.

The ministry’s plan also targets increasing total installed renewable energy capacity to 30,705 megawatts by the end of 2029, supported by the addition of 3,000 megawatts of wind power projects.

Esmat said the ministry is working according to a clear timeline to expand Egypt’s reliance on renewable energy sources and raise their share in the electricity generation mix to 45 percent within the next two years.

The plan focuses on accelerating solar, wind, and battery storage projects as part of Egypt’s clean energy transition strategy and wider sustainable development goals.