Egypt has announced an ambitious plan to install 1 gigawatt (GW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity across its industrial sector within the next two years. The target will be achieved through the newly launched Industry Solar Initiative, which focuses on deploying rooftop solar systems on factories and industrial facilities across the country.
The initiative is part of Egypt’s broader efforts to accelerate its clean energy transition, reduce carbon emissions, and improve energy security for industries. By increasing the use of renewable energy in manufacturing operations, the country aims to lower dependence on conventional energy sources while supporting sustainable industrial growth.
The plans were discussed during recent meetings between Egypt’s Minister of Industry, Khaled Hashem, and Chitose Noguchi, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between the government and international partners to support the adoption of renewable energy technologies and advance Egypt’s green development goals.
The Industry Solar Initiative is being implemented with support from the UNDP and Egypt’s Industrial Modernization Center. Financial backing for the program is being provided by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which has been supporting renewable energy projects in the country.
The new initiative builds on earlier achievements in distributed solar energy deployment. Previous projects supported by the partnership have enabled the installation of grid-connected solar systems on commercial, residential, public, and tourism-related buildings. These efforts have helped establish a foundation for the wider adoption of solar power across different sectors of the economy.
According to the program, more than 240 rooftop solar systems have already been installed. These include projects at over 20 operational factories representing various industrial sectors. The successful implementation of these systems has demonstrated the technical viability and economic advantages of solar energy for industrial users.
To support future expansion, Egypt and the UNDP are also exploring new financing mechanisms aimed at attracting greater investment in small and medium-sized solar projects. The objective is to improve access to financing, reduce investment risks, and encourage participation from banks and private investors. Officials believe that increased private-sector involvement will play a key role in accelerating the deployment of solar energy infrastructure and helping Egypt achieve its renewable energy targets.
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