Egypt is rolling out tighter controls on electrical appliances to reduce energy use, with the cost of saving power through efficiency measures far lower than building new generation capacity, according to the electricity minister.
Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat announced the measures during a meeting on July 21, 2026, at the ministry headquarters in the New Administrative Capital. He stated that generating one new megawatt costs five to seven times more than saving the same capacity through efficiency improvements, excluding operation and maintenance expenses. The steps follow Prime Minister’s Periodic Book No. 3-10968 issued on April 29, 2026.
The plan includes reviewing standards for air conditioners, lamps and lighting fixtures, requiring conformity certificates and energy efficiency labels, and applying pre-shipment inspections. Government tenders will incorporate efficiency conditions, and state entities must update specifications for purchases. A grace period will allow affected parties to comply.
Esmat described the effort as a national necessity and a pillar of Egypt’s sustainable energy strategy until 2040. The meeting included officials from the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company, the Egyptian General Authority for Standards and Quality, and other agencies.