The Egyptian government has reviewed the implementation status of the 100 MW green hydrogen production project under development in the Ain Sokhna Industrial Zone, which forms part of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli.
Madbouli confirmed that partial production has begun at the facility and said that a broader launch is planned in the coming period. He stated that the project is expected to make a significant contribution to exports of green hydrogen to Europe as well as other international markets.
The project is being implemented by Norway’s Scatec in partnership with the Sovereign Fund of Egypt, Orascom Construction, and Fertiglobe. The review meeting took place at the government headquarters in the New Administrative Capital and focused on the current progress of the project’s execution.
Participants included Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel el Wazir, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania el Mashat, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat, and SCZONE Chairman Walid Gamal el Din. The meeting was also attended by the Norwegian Ambassador to Egypt, the EU Ambassador to Egypt, senior executives from Scatec, and officials from several European banks.
Madbouli highlighted the partnership between the Egyptian government and Scatec, pointing to progress achieved in renewable energy projects in recent years that support Egypt’s objective of increasing the share of renewable energy in the national energy mix. He said that discussions are underway to explore raising the renewable energy share beyond 42% by 2030 in response to growing investor interest.
He also referred to other Scatec-led renewable energy projects in Egypt, including the Obelisk solar power plant in Qena Governorate and the planned ‘Energy Valley’ solar power plant in Minya Governorate, for which financing agreements were recently signed.
Minister Esmat said that the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy has supported the green hydrogen project since its inception by providing suitable land and the required energy sources, adding that the ministry will continue to support completion of the remaining phases.
Scatec CEO Terje Pilskog said that the company has received strong support from the Egyptian government over recent years and reaffirmed its commitment to exporting green hydrogen to European markets.
