Electricity in Egypt in 2024
In 2024, Egypt's electricity consumption mainly relies on fossil fuels, which make up more than four-fifths of the total electricity generated. Specifically, gas accounts for almost all of this, contributing around 82%. On the other hand, low-carbon electricity generation, which includes sources such as hydropower, wind, and solar, contributes close to 12% of the total electricity mix. Among these, hydropower is the most significant, providing a little over 6%, while wind and solar make smaller contributions just under a combined 6%. The reliance on fossil fuels is concerning due to its implications for climate change and air pollution, and a greater adoption of clean, low-carbon sources is crucial for a sustainable energy future in Egypt.
Is Electricity Growing in Egypt?
Electricity consumption in Egypt has shown signs of growth, with the latest figures indicating an increase from previous years. As of 2024, the per person electricity consumption is recorded at 2020 kWh, which is a noticeable jump from the previous high of 1924 kWh per person in 2022, representing an increase of 96 kWh per person. Additionally, Egypt has seen a positive change in its low-carbon electricity generation. In 2024, low-carbon sources produced 234 kWh per person, slightly higher than the 225 kWh per person recorded in 2020. Although this is a modest improvement, it highlights a growing, albeit gradual, shift towards cleaner energy sources that is vital for reducing the nation's carbon footprint and ensuring a sustainable future.
Suggestions
To further enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Egypt can look to successful regions for inspiration. For example, countries like Greece and Lebanon have achieved significant solar energy penetration at 25% and 31%, respectively. Meanwhile, countries like Denmark have capitalized on wind energy, reaching 57% of their electricity mix. The implementation of nuclear energy can also be considered, drawing lessons from nations like France, where nuclear accounts for a substantial portion of electricity generation at 69%. By strategically increasing investments in solar and wind, and exploring the potential of nuclear energy, Egypt could significantly expand its low-carbon electricity capacity, thereby reducing its dependency on fossil fuels and fostering a cleaner, more sustainable energy landscape.
History
Over the years, Egypt has experienced various changes in its low-carbon electricity generation. The late 1980s and early 2000s saw fluctuations in hydropower, with notable increases in 1989, 1999, 2000, and 2007, but also periods of decline such as in 1985, 2003, 2009, and 2010. In recent years, however, there has been noteworthy progress. Since 2015, Egypt has bolstered its wind energy infrastructure, with substantial increases in 2015, 2018, 2019, and again in 2024. Solar power also made a promising entry with a notable surge in 2020, marking its potential as a key player in the country's low-carbon energy portfolio. These advancements underscore Egypt's efforts to diversify its electricity sources and highlight the opportunities to build upon this momentum in pursuit of a cleaner and more resilient energy future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.