In 2024, Egypt relied on fossil fuels for about 88% of its electricity consumption, with gas alone supplying almost 82%. Low-carbon sources provided the remaining 12%: hydropower contributed about 6%, wind 3%, and solar just over 2%. Fossil electricity therefore dominated the mix, highlighting the opportunity to expand clean electricity and reduce the climate change and air pollution associated with fossil fuels.

Is Electricity Growing in Egypt?

Electricity consumption per person in Egypt reached a new record in 2024, rising to 2,020 kWh from the previous peak of 1,924 kWh in 2022—an increase of 96 kWh, or about 5%. Low-carbon electricity generation also set a new per-person record, reaching 234 kWh compared with 225 kWh in 2020, an increase of 9 kWh, or 4%. These gains are welcome, although the modest improvement in clean electricity since 2020 underscores the need for faster expansion to support electrification and growing electricity demand.

Suggestions

Egypt can accelerate low-carbon electricity generation by expanding solar, wind, and nuclear power alongside investment in its electricity grid. Nearby sunny regions offer useful examples: solar supplies about 31% of electricity in Lebanon, 24% in Cyprus, and 15% in Jordan, compared with just over 2% in Egypt. Morocco, where wind supplies 20% of electricity, offers a relevant regional example for expanding wind generation. For nuclear power, Egypt can learn from the United Arab Emirates, where it provides 20% of electricity, and France, where it supplies about two-thirds. Together, these examples show how a substantial expansion of solar and nuclear, complemented by wind, could build a much larger clean electricity supply.

History

Historically, Egypt’s low-carbon electricity changes were dominated by fluctuations in hydropower. After a 1.9 TWh decline in 1985, hydro recorded gains of 2 TWh in 1990, 0.8 TWh in 1993, and 2.4 TWh in 1999. The 2000s were uneven: gains of 1.4 TWh in 2001 and 2.6 TWh in 2007 were offset by declines in 2000, 2002, 2008, and 2009. After another hydro decline in 2016, growth broadened encouragingly in 2019, when wind added 2.6 TWh, hydro 1.2 TWh, and solar 0.9 TWh. Solar then added a substantial 3 TWh in 2020, alongside a 0.8 TWh hydro increase. Hydro setbacks in 2021 and 2022 were disappointing, but 2024 brought renewed progress, with wind increasing by 1.2 TWh and hydro by 0.7 TWh.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade