Egypt boosts sustainable energy

In an exclusive interview with EGYPES News, Eng. Alaa El Batal, First Undersecretary for HSE, Sustainability, Energy Efficiency and Climate, at the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources highlights the key trends shaping Egyptʼs energy policy.

What are the key trends shaping energy policy in Egypt in terms of energy efficiency and sustainable operations?

- Decarbonisation and energy transition

• Egypt is advancing sustainable energy solutions to meet local and global demands while mitigating climate impacts.
• The Ministry of Petroleum prioritises decarbonisation through a strategy based on six pillars: energy efficiency, carbon intensity reduction, renewable energy expansion, and low-carbon hydrogen development.

- Energy efficiency

• Seen as a cost-effective means to reduce emissions, the Ministry introduced the Energy Efficiency Strategy (2022–2035) to align with Egyptʼs 2030 sustainability targets.
• Governance frameworks have been established to enhance and support energy efficiency across the petroleum sector.

- Renewable energy generation

• The Ministry is expanding renewable energy use within the sector to decrease reliance on natural gas and diesel, optimising both environmental and economic outcomes.

- Circular economy

• Circular economy principles are being applied, including gas recovery, waste heat, utilisation, and converting organic waste into green petrochemicals to reduce carbon intensity.

- Digitalisation

• Digital tools are being employed to improve sustainability, with a focus on emissions monitoring, data archiving, and operational efficiency.

Could you outline some recent projects and milestones that further strengthen the Ministryʼs efforts to make the energy sector more efficient while reducing emissions?

Under its decarbonisation efforts, Egyptʼs Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has connected natural gas to 15 million units, providing clean cooking fuel to over 60 million citizens. More than 560,000 vehicles have been converted to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), reducing emissions and promoting sustainable mobility.

The Ministry has implemented nearly 100 renewable energy projects and 340 energy efficiency initiatives across the petroleum sector. With support from partners, key projects include the Dahshour Gas Compression Station, which is supported by EBRD, featuring the worldʼs largest high-temperature Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system to boost efficiency and save natural gas through Waste Heat Recovery.

This technology is also applied in LNG plants to optimise energy use and reduce emissions. A methane reduction roadmap, to be developed through technical assistance from USTDA, underscores the Ministryʼs emphasis on expanding collaboration with our strategic partners to advance methane abatement activities within the framework of decarbonization and energy transition

How is the Ministry prioritising HSE in the industry and ensuring a culture of safety among all industry personnel?

Safety is a core value of Egyptʼs petroleum sector, ensuring zero harm to people, communities, and the environment. This commitment to HSE underpins the sectorʼs sustainability and long-term success.

The Ministry prioritises collaboration with partners to implement best practices, advanced systems, and strong governance frameworks, upholding the highest Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) standards.

The Ministry also emphasises asset integrity, enhances operational performance and excellence. By embedding safety into all aspects of operations, the Ministry protects its workforce, safeguards assets, and drives sustainable growth and success.

How does EGYPES reflect and support your priorities for the region?

EGYPES conference reflects the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resourcesʼ comprehensive perspective on energy, emphasising the importance of engaging all stakeholders across the energy value chain. It also highlights the energy industryʼs commitment to delivering the resources needed to enhance livelihoods and improve living standards while prioritising sustainability and emissions reduction. The theme of EGYPES 2025 “building a secure and sustainable energy futureˮ aligns with the Ministryʼs vision of balancing the 2 priorities of energy security as well as sustainability, as these go hand in hand, and are integrated with energy affordability as well. Through its specialised strategic and technical conferences, EGYPES provides the ideal platform for dialogue between the regional and international energy communities. Within the sustainability domain, the “sustainability in energy conferenceˮ addresses the newest innovations in decarbonisation, clean energy solutions, and approaches for supporting our energy industryʼs journey for decarbonisation and energy transition.