Egypt reiterates its 42% renewable energy target for 2030 but calls on international assistance

The Egyptian government still aims to have renewable energy make up 42% of the mix for electricity generation by 2030. However, this goal is at risk if international support does not increase, said Prime Minister Mostafa Mdbouly on Tuesday, speaking at the COP29 Conference.

According to a cabinet report from July, the current share of solar, wind and hydropower in Egypt's power generation is only 11.5%.

The country relied heavily on gas in recent years, and defended it during the United Nations' COP27 Conference in 2022. It was a net gas exporter at that time.

Last year, Egypt experienced prolonged power outages due to the decline in local natural gas extraction and financial constraints.

This led to a search by the government for foreign investment, alongside an increase in fossil fuel exploration.

In June of this year, former Electricity Minister Mohamed Shaker announced a plan that would push the share up to 58% by 2020.

Egypt's Petroleum Ministry announced shortly after that the target for renewables is 40% by 2040. The country continues to rely heavily on natural gas.

Madbouly, in his COP29 speech, stuck to his original goal but highlighted the challenges Egypt is facing in meeting its climate goals, attributing these in large part to an insufficient level of international support.

He said that without the needed backing, improvements to critical infrastructure are out of reach and our goal is at risk.

Madbouly urged developed countries to fulfill their climate finance commitments, saying that otherwise the commitments made by developing nations would remain "ink on a piece of paper". Mark Potter, Momen Saeed Ezz and Mohamed Ezz (reporting)

(source: Reuters)