Cairo: A session titled “Green Hydrogen, Renewable Energy in Egypt: Investment Opportunities for French Companies” took center stage at the Egyptian-French Business Forum. The panel discussion, moderated by Engineer Khaled Abu Bakr, Chairman of the Arab Energy Company, featured participation from a range of officials, Egyptian and international business leaders, and renewable energy experts.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Dr. Walid Gamal El-Din, Chairman of the Suez Canal Economic Zone, underscored the Egyptian government’s initiatives aimed at bolstering green energy projects. He highlighted the Suez Canal area as a focal point, with plans to position Egypt as a regional hub for exporting green fuel to Europe, utilizing both maritime and pipeline routes.
Sebastian Riez, CEO of Schneider Electric for Northeast Africa, stressed the need for efficiency in developing green energy projects, focusing on project design, construction, operation, and maintenance. He emphasized the role of digital technologies, like digital twins and artificial intelligence, in optimizing the design and operation of green hydrogen plants, enabling future expansions and remote maintenance capabilities.
Riez further highlighted the intelligent management of renewable energy resources through modern software, which can identify the optimal energy source-whether solar, wind, or storage-at any moment. This approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also opens avenues for additional revenue by feeding excess energy back into the grid.
Ms. Maria Astid de Montmarin, CEO of EDF Renewables in Egypt, reflected on Egypt’s strategic importance as a clean energy hub. She noted that Egypt’s competitive market is attractive for renewable energy investments, as the nation rapidly advances towards a green energy transition.
Mr. Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed Ibrahim, Head of Business Development for Renewables in Egypt at Engy, highlighted the country’s ambition to achieve 20% renewable energy by 2030. He noted Egypt’s significant progress, citing wind energy projects that amount to 2.2 gigawatts, as part of this ambitious goal.