Maher Aziz, member of the World Energy Council, said Egypt needs EGP 140bn (US$18.2bn) to solve its ongoing electricity shortages, reported Egypt Independent. Aziz also stated that Egypt does not welcome any interference from the United States on this issue. Aziz attributed the improvements in power outage to the recent expansion in nine power stations to produce an extra 3,600 MW. Egypt is working on diversifying its energy sources to deal lessen the crisis. Alternative sources include renewable energy, nuclear power and coal.