Saifaddin Galal
Research Expert North Africa
Energy in Egypt - statistics & facts
Egypt is among the largest energy producers and suppliers in Africa. In fact, it is one of the most populated countries on the African continent, which lead to its energy needs increasing. Moreover, the whole Egyptian population had access to a reliable energy sources since 2015. In more recent years, due to energy blackouts, the government set a plan to diversify and invest more in the sector. The ancient country is the largest consumer of petroleum, other liquids and natural gas on the African continent, at around 19 percent and 37 percent of total consumption, respectively.
Production and consumption
Between 2005 and 2013, primary energy production in Egypt was higher than consumption. However, the trend was reversed has reversed since 2013. In fact, Egypt produced 3.89 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) of primary energy in 2022, which was lower than the primary energy consumed the same year, which amounted to 4.05 quadrillion Btu. Between 2005 and 2016, energy production in the country followed an inverted U-shape. However, since 2017, power generation has been on the rise again, with a drop in 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. In contrast, energy consumption increased, peaking in 2021 and 2022. Fossil fuels are the main energy source in the country. Natural gas was followed by petroleum products, which accounted for around 98 percent of the total energy produced. This can be linked to it being the most abundant energy source in the nation. Moreover, a minor share of energy consumption was via coal, although it was not present in energy production.Renewable energy is the future
Globally, more countries are trying to shift to renewable sources of energy, the same applies to states in the Middle East and North Africa region. In fact, Egypt ranks second in the region behind Saudi Arabia, with a projection that by 2035 the capacity would be roughly 54 gigawatts with a target of 42 percent of the energy capacity being through sustainable energy sources. Lately, renewable energy capacity in the North African country is on the rise, peaking in 2022 at approximately 6,709 megawatts. The prime contributor is hydropower energy, with roughly 42.2 percent of sustainable energy capacity, which can be connected to the Nile passing through the country. Wind and solar energy followed with close to 28.2 percent and 27.7 percent of the total capacity, respectively.
