A 100MW green hydrogen project in Egypt's Suez Canal Economic Zone has started partial production and is exporting to European and US markets, according to a government statement. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met with a Norwegian-led consortium to review progress.
In a key step toward boosting renewable energy, a government statement announced on Tuesday the partial production start of a 100MW green hydrogen project in Egypt's Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), located in the Ain Sokhna industrial zone. The project is implemented through a partnership between Norway's Scatec, the Sovereign Fund of Egypt, Orascom Construction, and Fertiglobe.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met with the consortium in the New Administrative Capital, emphasizing the government's commitment and noting its significant contribution to Egypt's efforts to export green hydrogen to Europe and other international markets. Officials discussed raising the renewable energy target in Egypt's energy mix beyond the current 42% goal for 2030, citing numerous investment requests in the sector.
Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat confirmed his ministry's support since the project's inception, providing land and power sources, and expressed full backing for completing remaining phases soon.
Scatec is expanding its solar presence in Egypt, with the first phase of the 'Obelisk' solar project in Naga Hammadi recently inaugurated and a commitment to launch the second phase by the end of May. Financing agreements worth $1.8bn were signed yesterday for a large-scale solar station in Minya called 'Energy Valley'.
European Union Ambassador to Egypt Angelina Eichhorst described Cairo as a global pioneer in the green hydrogen market and praised the momentum in Egyptian-European renewable energy cooperation. European bank officials expressed a 'real desire' to support Egypt's transition to a regional hub for green hydrogen and green ammonia. Scatec CEO Terje Pilskog and Norwegian Ambassador Erik Hosum affirmed their commitment to the partnership and exporting clean energy to Europe, appreciating the Egyptian government's administrative and technical support.
The meeting was attended by senior officials including the Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, and the SCZONE Chairman. Consortium members reiterated the Sokhna project's high priority following its successful entry into Western export markets.