In 2025, Egypt relied on fossil fuels for about 86% of its electricity consumption, with gas supplying roughly three-quarters and oil another 10%. Low-carbon sources provided the remaining 14%: hydropower contributed around 7%, wind 4%, and solar 3%. Egypt’s electricity mix therefore remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels, leaving considerable room to expand clean electricity and reduce the climate change and air pollution associated with fossil-fuel use.

Is Electricity Growing in Egypt?

Electricity consumption in Egypt is growing, although the latest overall increase was modest. Consumption reached 2,077 kWh per person in 2025, exceeding the previous record of 2,036 kWh in 2024 by 41 kWh, or about 2%. Low-carbon electricity generation grew much faster, reaching 287 kWh per person—roughly 42 kWh above its previous record and an increase of about 17%, allowing for rounding. These new records are encouraging, particularly the stronger clean-electricity growth, but sustained expansion is needed to support electrification and rising demand, including from AI.

Suggestions

Egypt should accelerate solar, wind, and nuclear electricity generation, drawing lessons from successful regions with relevant conditions. Nearby Lebanon obtains almost a third of its electricity from solar, while Jordan gets about 15%; the sunny US state of Nevada reaches 35%, illustrating the scope for much greater solar deployment in Egypt. Morocco generates about a fifth of its electricity from wind, offering a useful regional example for expanding Egypt’s wind capacity. For nuclear electricity, the United Arab Emirates already obtains 20% from this clean source, while France generates about two-thirds. Combining large-scale solar and wind development with nuclear construction, stronger grids, and storage would help Egypt increase low-carbon electricity supply and meet future demand.

History

Egypt’s low-carbon electricity history initially centered on fluctuating hydropower output. Generation fell by about 2 TWh in 1985, then rose by about 2 TWh in 1990 and 2.4 TWh in 1999. The 2000s brought further ups and downs: gains in 2001 and 2007 were interrupted by declines in 2000, 2002, 2008, and 2009. A more diversified expansion emerged in 2019, when wind added 2.6 TWh, hydropower 1.2 TWh, and solar nearly 1 TWh; solar then added another 3 TWh in 2020. Hydropower continued to fluctuate in 2020–2022, but growth strengthened again in 2024 with additions from wind and hydro. In 2025, wind added 3.2 TWh and solar 1.5 TWh—an encouraging acceleration in clean electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade