Driven by the urgency of climate change and the need to achieve net-zero emissions, EGYPES 2024 featured a Sustainability in Energy Conference, convening industry leaders to explore cutting-edge clean energy solutions for the global 2050 deadline.

The Sustainability in Energy Conference was held on February 20th under the theme “Shaping a Sustainable Energy Value Chain”. It took place as EGYPES 2024 aimed to ignite the conversation for a cleaner, more secure energy future. Reimagining the global energy landscape, the conference fostered bold dialogues on diversification and proposed practical solutions through cutting-edge research and innovation.

Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El Molla delivered a ministerial keynote speech on Egypt’s roadmap to increasing green energy and emissions reduction targets.  El Molla noted that “The magnitude of the climate change challenge is larger than any government alone to overcome. Therefore, this global challenge requires effective, continued and pragmatic collaboration between the energy industry stakeholders including our partners from environmental ministries and energy institutions.”

El Molla concluded his speech saying, “I look forward to continuing to work hand-in-hand to achieve our common climate goals in parallel with securing the energy that the world needs to drive progress and prosperity from our society.”

On the other hand, Egyptian Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad attended EGYPES for the first time in 2024, which reflected the deep coordination between the oil and gas sector and the Environment Ministry to deliver a sustainable future. In her speech, Fouad emphasised the need for funds to achieve climate targets, pointing to the importance of sustainability in building a better future for Egypt. “We should not jeopardize the need of our future generations for sustainable development.”

At the beginning of the conference, Nadja Wendler, Vice President of Sustainability at Wintershall Dea, delivered a keynote speech, highlighting the importance of collaboration to reach a sustainable future. “Governments, industry leaders, innovators, and communities must unite in a shared mission for a sustainable future, leaving no one behind.”

The Sustainability Conference further included a panel discussion on the evolution of natural gas and liquified natural gas (LNG).

Panellists were Stefano Raciti, Mubadala Energy COO; Dalia El Gabry, Vice President Egypt & Country Chair at Shell Egypt N.V.; Sergio Molisani, Chief International Asset Officer of Snam; Ahmed Mostafa, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Production at the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC); Marco Villa, Technip Energies COO; and Wael Lotfy, Chairman & CEO of Enppi. The session was moderated by Pablo Avogadri, Partner and Associate Director, Energy at Boston Consulting Group.

The session dived into the role of natural gas and LNG in powering a smooth energy transition as panellists examined the unique benefits of natural gas and LNG and assessed their contribution to decarbonization plans.

“The main objective is to maximize the displacement of coal with natural gas, while renewables and other clean energy sources can displace natural gas as an affordable and reliable source of energy,” Raciti stated.

Meanwhile, Mostafa highlighted Egypt’s potential to lead the energy transition, stating that “Egypt’s location allows us to be close to the big discoveries, and also the availability of infrastructure, subsea infrastructure and LNG projects, help us to secure energy demand for domestic and even for regional demand.”

“When we look at LNG, we look at a sustainable, reliable option for energy,” El Gabry explained, highlighting it as a critical fuel for the energy transition.

Another panel discussion took place to discuss shaping the future of energy innovation. Panellists included Faisal Mohmand, Principal Vice President & President at Bechtel Energy Technologies & Solutions; Mario Ruscev, Executive Vice President Products & Technology at TAQA; Rasha Hasaneen, Chief Product & Sustainability Officer at Aspen Technologies; Olivier Blaringhem, Executive Vice President at Subsea7; and Karim Badawi, Director of New Energy MENA at SLB. The session was moderated by Jan Zschommler, Market Area Manager Middle East & Africa at DNV Energy Systems.

The session discussed cutting-edge clean energy technologies fuelling the low-carbon future.

The panel further highlighted the existing sources to enable energy transition. Mohmand stated that “While we are waiting for the green abilities to become viable, blue hydrogen; blue ammonia, there are great ready options that are available. And with the right tools and the CO2 capture, I think there is a path, we are getting there, but it requires partnerships.”

Additionally, Badawi pointed out the privilege of Egypt’s location, saying that “Egypt stands a lot to gain by the energy transition,” as it decarbonised the existing oil and gas sector. He continued saying that it can also “gain leverage of its geographical position to capitalise on solar and wind resources to lead the transition into green energy.”

Meanwhile, the panel titled “Accelerating Net-Zero Targets through ESG Compliance” discussed how energy firms are navigating the rising tide of ESG demands from investors and stakeholders.

Panellists were Ahmed Samir Elbermbali, Sustainability Market Leader for the Middle East Region at Bureau Veritas; Manal Hassan, Chief Sustainability Officer at El Sewedy Electric; Amira Osama, Head of Sustainability at Integrated Renewable & Sustainable Communities (IRSC); Lamé Verre, Co-Founder & Co-Chair at Lean in Equity & Sustainability; and Paddy Blewer, Corporate Communications Director at Energean. The session was moderated by Faye Gerard, Energy Transition Director at IOGP.

The panel highlighted the importance of data in the sustainable future journey. Hassan said, “If you look at sustainability as an economic system, then you are going to understand why data is important.”

Meanwhile, Blewer indicated that it is important to commit to the sustainability goals, stating that “many people focus on the propaganda, the brand, and not serious sustainability work, and that is why we need to live it.”

Another panel discussed decarbonizing upstream oil and gas operations. Panellists included Jessica Jackson, Vice President of Environment, Health and Safety at Apache Corporation; Michael Egorov, Climate Manager at Wintershall Dea; Eleanor Rowley, Managing Director Egypt at Capricorn Energy; Kamel Al Sawi, President at United Energy Egypt; and Joey Deng, Huawei Egypt CEO.

Sustainability in Energy Awards

At the end of the Sustainability in Energy Conference, Minister El Molla presented the Sustainability in Energy Awards for the best sustainability projects of the year.

For the Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project of the year, the winner was Petrobel for the Smart Sustainable Integrated Community in South Sinai.  The Highly Commended Award in this category went to ANOPC for Biogas Project in Banisanad – Assiut.

The Best Digitalisation project of the year was awarded to Egyptian Liquified Natural Gas (ELNG), operator of the Future for the Best Digitalization of the year. The Highly Commended Award in this category went to WEPCO for their newly completed digitalised and sustainable projects.

For the Best Decarbonisation Project of the year, the winner is Universiti Putra Malaysia Suria for Suria 16, a mega scale rooftop solar PV project in UPM.

The Best Hydrogen Project of the year was awarded to Mansoura University for a project that establishes a framework for natural hydrogen investigation based on integrating subsurface data with satellite images. The Highly Commended Award in this category went to PETROBEL for their Global Green partnership Initiative (GGHPI).

For the Best Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Champion of the Year Award, the winner is Petrobel for its biodiversity ecosystem services (BES) study – Sinai fields. The Highly Commended Award in this category went to Rashpetco the Smell of the Place project.