The European Union (EU) and the Egyptian Government co-hosted the “Egypt Sustainable Energy Outlook 2040” conference at Cairo’s Manial Palace. Under the theme “Cooperation for Shared Prosperity,” the summit solidified the strategic energy partnership between the two regions, focusing on long-term policy, grid stability, and large-scale green investment.
During the opening remarks, Angelina Eichhorst, Head of the EU Delegation to Egypt and the League of Arab States, emphasized that a transition to “homegrown, reliable, and cheaper energy” is the primary defense against global price volatility and supply manipulation.
In his speech, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat said that “regional integration is one of the main pillars for sustainable development over the long term, and the transformation of energy will be a choice for the countries where it will be necessary for everyone to take steps to accelerate the process of transformation.”
Esmat stated that the total installed capacity of renewable energy currently exceeds 9,000 megawatt (MW), in addition to a 500 MW battery storage system (BESS). He added that renewable energy capacity, wind and solar, is expected to reach approximately 24 gigawatt (GW) by 2030. He further explained that the country’s massive renewable energy potential will help drive local manufacturing programs for wind and solar components, particularly given the availability of raw materials.
The Minister confirmed the completion of the Third National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP III), developed in coordination with the EU. The plan will soon be submitted to the Supreme Council of Energy for final approval. Furthermore, Esmat reaffirmed Egypt’s National Hydrogen Strategy, which aims to capture 5% to 8% of the global tradable hydrogen market by 2040.
For his part, Florian Ermacora Head of the North Africa Unit, EU Directorate-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations, introduced the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy and Clean-Tech Cooperation Initiative (T-MED). He described T-MED as a shift from symbolic declarations to “tangible” action. The initiative centers on a regional investment platform designed to mobilize €25 billion over the next nine years, primarily sourced from the private sector.
“Egypt is a clear frontrunner on benefiting most from this investment platform,” Ermacora noted, citing the country’s proactive work in refining regulatory frameworks to protect private capital.
Finally, in her speech, Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, said the ministry plays a central role in coordinating international partnerships and directing investments toward national priorities, especially energy transition, in close cooperation with European institutions such as the European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
She added that the Nexus of Water, Food, and Energy (NWFE) platform serves as a leading national model linking water, food, and energy sectors, having mobilized about $5 billion over three years to deliver 4.2 GW of private-sector renewable energy projects and strengthen Egypt’s role in climate finance and green development.
Egypt’s Sustainable Energy Outlook 2040 Conference is a high-level energy summit held in Cairo bringing together Egyptian government officials, EU representatives, and key energy stakeholders to discuss long-term sustainable energy planning and cooperation. The conference focuses on shaping Egypt’s energy policy and strategy up to 2040, with special emphasis on renewable energy, technical capacity building, clean-energy partnerships, and energy security.
The conference is featuring engaging panel discussions, including ‘Boosting Efficiency: Technologies, Standards & Regulation’ panel; ‘T-MED Policy & Investment Strategies to Power Egypt’s Green Future” panel, and ‘From Ambition to Action: EFSD+ Advancing T-MED Implementation’ panel.
