reporter
Etsuko Sano
JICA Egypt Office
planning researcher
summary
Date: December 5, 2023
Organized by: Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy
JICA participated as a panelist
Name of Venue (Pavilion Name)：Egypt Pavilion
speaker
Amgad Asied.
Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy (MoERE)
Legal Advisor
Mohammed Musa Omran
Egyptian Electricity Regulatory and Consumer Protection Authority (Egypt-ERA)
chairman
Harid Hamza.
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
Head of Egypt Office
Attica ben Maid.
France Development Finance Corporation (AFD)
Deputy Director, Climate and Nature Bureau
Mayada Magdy.
JICA Egypt Office
vice-
Kohei Wada
McKinsey & Company Japan
Associate Partner
Background and Objectives
Since COP27 was held in Egypt last year under the slogan “Together we can do it,” the country has made rapid progress in its energy transition through legislation and the start of projects.
While Egypt is blessed with renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and biomass, rising temperatures can lead to frequent droughts and reduced crop production. This makes it more difficult to simultaneously achieve a shift to cleaner energy for sustainable development and food security.
The pillars of the energy transition in Egypt are industrial decarbonization, sustainable finance, technological innovation and innovation, and energy conservation.
The panel discussed how the Egyptian government’s energy transition efforts to promote decarbonization through the introduction of renewable energy and the promotion of energy conservation can be promoted and financed through partnerships with the private sector.
Contents
The Egyptian government representative described the various initiatives implemented since COP27 to promote decarbonization, including the development of the soon-to-be-announced low-carbon hydrogen strategy with the support of the EBRD, the establishment of the Egyptian National Council for Green Hydrogen, and various efforts to promote renewable energy in partnership with the private sector. The AFD and EBRD announced that the EBRD will continue to cooperate with the Egyptian government to implement the hydrogen strategy, with particular reference to cooperation with the Egyptian government in renewable energy and energy conservation.
From JICA, Mr. Mayada, Deputy Director General of the Egypt Office, participated as a panelist and introduced JICA’s investment and cooperation in the energy sector, including the 500 MW Komombo Solar Power Project, the first JICA overseas investment in Egypt, which was a result of the COP27. This solar power project is included in the Nexus of Water, Food and Energy (NWFE) Program, which was selected by the Egyptian government as a priority project to be promoted to achieve the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
He also mentioned the Facility for Accelerating Climate Change Resilient and Sustainable Society (ACCESS, an overseas investment and loan scheme), which was established based on Prime Minister Kishida’s announcement at the G7 Hiroshima Summit in May 2023 that he would support private companies that accelerate climate change measures. (ACCESS, an overseas investment and loan scheme), which was established in response to Prime Minister Kishida’s announcement at the G7 Hiroshima Summit in May to support the private sector in accelerating climate change action.
Mr. Mayada added that Egypt has great potential in the field of green hydrogen, and he is exploring the possibility of supporting Egypt’s efforts from both the public and private sectors through various JICA cooperation schemes, including overseas investments and loans.
JICA is also providing assistance in energy conservation in Egypt, and JICA’s technical assistance in energy data management and evidence-based policy setting was also explained.
In Egypt’s energy sector, JICA is contributing to various projects worth US$2 billion, with an emphasis on promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Group photo of panelists
Scenes from the panel discussion at the Egypt Pavilion
Deputy Director Mayada of JICA’s Egypt Office participated as a panelist
© Source JICA