Electricity in Egypt in 2023

In 2023, Egypt's electricity generation is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with more than 88% of its electricity coming from these sources, primarily gas, which accounts for over 81% of total generation. However, the country is making strides towards incorporating low-carbon energy sources into its electricity mix. About 11% of Egypt's electricity is generated from clean sources. Among these, hydropower stands out, producing around 6% of the electricity, while both wind and solar contribute approximately 2% each. Although these figures are promising for reducing carbon emissions, they indicate a significant dependency on fossil fuels, which has various negative environmental impacts such as contributing to climate change and air pollution.

Suggestions

To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Egypt can learn from countries that have successfully integrated significant shares of nuclear and other clean energies. For instance, countries like France and Slovakia have achieved large portions of their electricity from nuclear sources, with figures reaching as high as 60-68%. Similarly, Denmark is a leader in wind power, which makes up nearly 60% of its electricity supply. Notably, Greece and Chile have made substantial progress in solar energy, each achieving over 20% of their electricity from this source. Egypt could harness its sunny climate and invest more in solar infrastructure. Incorporating lessons from these nations, especially in deploying nuclear and enhancing wind and solar capacities, would guide Egypt towards a sustainable and diversified electricity generation system.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in Egypt has involved a series of developments over the years. Initially, in the late 20th century, Egypt focused primarily on hydropower, with fluctuations in annual electricity generation changes, such as a slight increase in the late 1990s and setbacks in the early 2000s. A significant boost to wind power occurred in the mid-2010s, with notable increases starting in 2015 and continuing into 2019. Solar energy, meanwhile, began to gain momentum more recently, with considerable growth in electricity generation starting in 2019 and a significant spike in 2020. Despite some variability in hydroelectric output, these trends highlight Egypt's ongoing efforts to diversify its energy portfolio by incorporating more wind and solar power into its grid. This history signals positive movement towards increasing the proportion of sustainable electricity sources, paving the way for future advancements.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources