Electricity in Egypt in 2024
In 2024, Egypt's electricity consumption predominantly relies on fossil fuels, which make up more than four-fifths of its electricity supply. Gas is the major contributor, accounting for a substantial share of over 80%. Meanwhile, low-carbon energy sources such as hydropower, wind, and solar collectively provide just over a tenth of Egypt's electricity. Specifically, hydropower generates more than half of this clean energy portion, while wind offers about 3% and solar slightly over 2%. This heavy reliance on fossil energy poses challenges related to climate change and air pollution, highlighting the need for Egypt to pivot towards more sustainable, low-carbon electricity generation methods.
Is Electricity Growing in Egypt?
Electricity consumption in Egypt has been growing. The latest data shows that electricity usage is now at 2049 kWh per person, which marks an increase from the previous peak of 1924 kWh per person in 2022. This growth of 125 kWh per person indicates an upward trend. Particularly encouraging is the rise in low-carbon electricity generation, which now stands at 238 kWh per person, compared to the previous record of 225 kWh per person in 2020. This 13 kWh per person increase shows that Egypt is taking steps towards a cleaner energy future, albeit at a gradual pace.
Suggestions
To further enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Egypt can learn from countries with successful models in clean energy adoption. Lebanon, for instance, generates more than 30% of its electricity from solar power, a resource that Egypt is well-positioned to harness given its abundant sunlight. Moreover, Egypt can consider expanding its nuclear energy capabilities, drawing lessons from places like France and Slovakia, where nuclear power contributes a significant majority of their electricity generation. By focusing on solar and nuclear power expansion, Egypt can effectively decrease its reliance on fossil fuels and strengthen its clean energy portfolio.
History
Examining the history of low-carbon electricity in Egypt reveals a series of fluctuating investments, particularly in hydropower, which saw significant advancements and setbacks over the decades. The late 1990s and early 2000s marked periods of growth, as seen with the increase in hydropower generation around 1999 and 2000. More significant recent developments occurred in 2019 and 2020, with notable increases in solar and wind generation alongside hydropower. While 2021 and 2022 experienced slight declines in hydropower, a rebound in 2024 with wind and hydropower highlights Egypt's potential to drive forward its clean energy transformation. By learning from its history and global examples, Egypt can foster sustainable growth in electricity generation.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.