Electricity in Egypt in 2024
Electricity consumption in Egypt is currently dominated by fossil fuels, with more than 80% being derived from gas and about 8% from other fossil sources, contributing to climate change and air pollution. In stark contrast, low-carbon sources account for approximately 12% of electricity generation. Within this low-carbon category, hydropower is the most significant contributor, producing over 6% of electricity. Wind and solar energy share almost equal roles, with wind at around 3% and solar slightly above 2%. This distribution highlights a significant gap between fossil-fueled and low-carbon electricity, pointing to an urgent need for cleaner energy solutions.
Is Electricity Growing in Egypt?
In terms of growth, Egypt is experiencing an increase in electricity consumption. The latest figure stands at 2020 kWh per person, marking a notable rise from the previous high of 1924 kWh per person in 2022. This represents an increase of 96 kWh per person, indicating a steadily growing demand for electricity, largely driven by urbanization and industrial development. Additionally, low-carbon electricity generation has also seen a modest increase, reaching 234 kWh per person from the past record of 225 kWh in 2020. Although this improvement is encouraging, much more is needed to ensure sustainable electricity growth and a move away from fossil dependencies.
Suggestions
To bolster low-carbon electricity generation, Egypt can look to successful regions as examples. Incorporating more solar and nuclear energy can significantly enhance Egypt's clean electricity portfolio. For instance, Lebanon and Nevada have shown remarkable progress, with solar contributing to around 31% and 29% of their electricity generation, respectively. Similarly, the proven success of nuclear energy in countries like France and Slovakia, where it provides 69% and 64% of electricity, respectively, demonstrates its potential as a sustainable energy source. Adapting strategies from these regions would allow Egypt to diversify its energy mix and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, paving the way for a greener future.
History
Examining the historical trends of low-carbon electricity in Egypt reveals a varied journey. In the late 20th century, hydropower saw fluctuations with slight growth and some declines, like the drop of 0.8 TWh in 1985 and the increase of 1.3 TWh in 1999. The early 2000s maintained momentum, with variations leading to moderate growth. The past decade has shown a promising shift, especially with solar energy, which saw a significant increase in 2020 by 3 TWh, marking it as a burgeoning sector in Egypt's clean energy landscape. Concurrently, wind energy witnessed steady growth, with notable increments like 2 TWh in 2019 and a continued uptrend in 2024. Meanwhile, hydro's occasional decline, as seen in 2021 and 2022, emphasizes the importance of diversifying energy sources to maintain consistent progress in low-carbon electricity generation.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.