The Egyptian government has announced plans to establish solar power plants with a combined capacity of 1,000 megawatts to supply around 7,000 factories under the “Shams El-Senaa” initiative. This move aims to expand renewable energy use and reduce electricity costs for industrial facilities. The initiative was reviewed by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly during a meeting with Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat.
Prime Minister Madbouly emphasized the need to expand the programme beyond factories to include government buildings and other facilities in subsequent phases. He also stressed that the initiative had received the attention of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and formed part of broader efforts to diversify energy sources, reduce production costs, and enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian industry.
The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of ensuring the efficient operation and maintenance of solar installations. This includes regular inspections of panels, transformers, connection systems, and control equipment. A national framework for implementation, operation, and maintenance will be established, alongside training for specialised technical personnel.
Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat stated that the initiative would help reduce factories’ electricity bills and natural gas consumption. It is expected to improve production efficiency and strengthen the competitiveness of Egyptian products in domestic and international markets. The programme will also support the localisation of renewable energy component manufacturing.
The “Shams El-Senaa” initiative aligns with Egypt’s national energy strategy, which seeks to increase the share of renewable sources in the energy mix and improve electricity consumption efficiency. The initiative was launched following the recommendations of Egypt Forum 2026, which called for initiatives to expand the use of renewable energy across different sectors.
In addition to the “Shams El-Senaa” initiative, the government is coordinating with relevant ministries and authorities on a separate project to install solar power systems on the rooftops of government buildings nationwide. This project aims to further increase the use of renewable energy and reduce electricity costs for government facilities.
The Egyptian government’s efforts to expand renewable energy use are expected to have a positive impact on the country’s energy sector. By increasing the share of renewable sources in the energy mix, Egypt aims to reduce its reliance on natural gas and improve electricity consumption efficiency. The “Shams El-Senaa” initiative and other related projects will contribute to achieving these goals.
Key points
- Egypt plans to establish 1,000MW solar power plants to supply 7,000 factories under the “Shams El-Senaa” initiative.
- The initiative aims to reduce factories’ electricity bills and natural gas consumption, improving production efficiency and competitiveness.
- The programme will support the localisation of renewable energy component manufacturing, increasing local content and strengthening industrial value chains.
