Cooperation powers green energy drive

China-Egypt cooperation in renewable energy is gaining momentum, with the partnership moving beyond individual power generation projects toward an integrated model combining clean energy development, advanced technology, grid modernization, energy storage and industrial localization.

The expanding cooperation is helping Egypt translate its abundant solar and wind resources into new generation capacity while strengthening the technological and industrial foundations needed for a long-term energy transition, according to experts.

As Egypt seeks to expand renewable energy and reduce reliance on conventional fuels, Chinese investment, technology and expertise are emerging as important drivers of this transformation. The partnership, spanning major solar projects, wind energy development, energy storage and local manufacturing, is also creating new opportunities to deepen economic ties between the two countries and advance their shared interests in sustainable development.

Wafaa Ali, a professor of economics and political science at Cairo University, said Egypt is a leading energy player in the Middle East and North Africa, with strong potential in both conventional and renewable energy, including wind and solar power as well as green hydrogen.

"The China-Egypt partnership is gaining strong momentum in promoting alternative energy, reducing reliance on conventional fuels and developing the infrastructure needed to accommodate new capacity. There is genuine synergy in the China-Egypt partnership, as Egypt aims to reach 45 percent renewable energy by 2028," she said.

Ali said Chinese experience can also support Egypt in addressing the technical challenges associated with integrating growing renewable capacity into the national electricity grid.

"Egypt is seeking to benefit from Chinese experience, solutions and alternatives in load management, developing electricity transmission corridors, improving transmission and distribution efficiency and modern control systems, while also localizing renewable energy industries to strengthen supply chains and build Egyptian capabilities," she said.

She added that technology transfer and energy storage would be important components of the partnership as Egypt expands its renewable energy capacity.

Pointing to the practical results of bilateral cooperation, Ali highlighted the development of solar and wind power projects, including the establishment of Egypt's first wind turbine manufacturing plant with Chinese investment of about $300 million to support projects in the Gulf of Suez.

The project, to be constructed by China's Sany Renewable Energy, was signed in June and is expected to be completed in two years. The plant will manufacture for domestic use and for export as well.

"The China-Egypt partnership has demonstrated its effectiveness in solar power plants and wind turbines, supporting renewable energy capacities, helping reduce conventional fuel consumption and carbon emissions, and contributing to Egypt's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050," Ali said.

Abundant resources

Shaimaa Saeed Al-Arabi, a Cabinet economist in Egypt, said Egypt's abundant wind and solar resources, combined with Chinese expertise and investment, are creating opportunities to expand renewable energy while strengthening related industries.

"Egypt is endowed with abundant renewable energy resources, particularly wind and solar power, and has implemented a number of renewable energy projects in cooperation with China, especially in the solar energy sector. China's expertise is helping accelerate this transition through technology transfer and industrial localization, including technologies for AI-powered energy storage systems and local manufacturing of solar energy equipment," Al-Arabi said.

She said the economic impact of the cooperation extends beyond power generation to energy security, employment and the development of domestic industrial supply chains.

"This cooperation contributes to energy security and grid stability by diversifying energy sources and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. These projects also create thousands of jobs, improve living conditions for local communities and support related industrial supply chains," she said.

Al-Arabi highlighted the Benban Solar Park and Kom Ombo Solar Power Project in Aswan as major examples of China-Egypt cooperation. The Benban Solar Park has a total capacity of about 1.8 gigawatts, while the latter has a capacity of 200 megawatts.

Looking ahead, Al-Arabi said cooperation is expanding toward power grid development, energy storage and the localization of clean energy manufacturing, with renewable energy becoming a platform for investment, technology and industrial development.

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.