Natural gas production partially recovered in the last couple of years, and together with

maintenance of existing power plants could improve power generation.
This has lead to much more stability in the power grid, cutting down blackouts to
minimum. However, the energy sector has a development plan that is anything but
sustainable. In 2014, the government of Egypt has announced that it will start building
power plants that use coal as fuel.
Coal is the most polluting fuel. Modern countries around the world have either banned
or shut down coal-fueled power plants decades ago, with the exception of those
countries with very high reserves of coal.
With the high pollution profile that Egypt already has, it can be catastrophic to the
environment and general health. Two years after that, the government of Egypt signed a
protocol with the Russian Federation to construct a nuclear power plant in El- Dab’aa,
northern Egypt, although developed countries around the world are shutting down their
nuclear power plants and reverting to renewable energy sources.
Instead of polluting and hazardous sources of energy, Egypt can benefit from its huge
solar energy potential. The country is hit by solar radiation that is enough to power the
world, not just Egypt.
The average household needs investments of around EGP 20,000 – 25,000 to setup a
solar energy system. This figure can be affordable for many Egyptians, and for those
who cannot afford it financial systems can be covered by banks as part of a nation-wide
initiative.
By doing this, the energy system can be de-centralized, which can help in saving capital
and reducing the effect of vandalism on the national grid.