Egypt moves closer to green hydrogen exports as 100MW project advances

Egypt has moved a step closer to exporting green hydrogen as partial operations begin at a 100-megawatt production project in the Ain Sokhna Industrial Zone, according to the government.

The update was provided during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli at the government headquarters in the New Administrative Capital to review progress on the project, which is located within the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE).

Madbouli said the project, which is being implemented by Scatec in partnership with the Sovereign Fund of Egypt, Orascom Construction and Fertiglobe, has already entered a partial production phase. A broader launch is expected in the coming period.

Egypt aims at global hydrogen markets

He said the facility is expected to make a significant contribution to Egypt’s exports of green hydrogen to Europe, in addition to other international markets, as the country seeks to strengthen its position in the global clean energy sector.

The meeting was attended by 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, and Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat.

Also present were SCZONE chairman Walid Gamal el Din, Norwegian ambassador to Egypt Erik Høglund Husem, EU ambassador to Egypt Angelina Eichhorst, Scatec chief executive Terje Pilskog and the company’s Middle East vice-president Mohamed Amer, alongside representatives from several European financial institutions.

Madbouli praised cooperation between Egypt and European partners, noting strong momentum in renewable energy and green hydrogen projects. He said discussions are underway to raise the share of renewable energy in Egypt’s power mix beyond 42 per cent by 2030, reflecting growing interest from international investors.

He also referred to the inauguration of the first phase of the Obelisk solar power plant in Nag Hammadi, implemented by Scatec, and stressed the importance of completing the second phase by the end of May. In addition, he highlighted agreements signed for the Energy Valley solar project in Minya governorate, with investments of $1.8 billion.

Electricity minister Mahmoud Esmat said his ministry has supported the green hydrogen project since its inception by providing energy supplies and land, while Scatec chief executive Terje Pilskog welcomed the backing from Egyptian authorities and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to exporting green hydrogen to European markets.

EU ambassador Angelina Eichhorst said Egypt is among the global pioneers in green hydrogen, highlighting strong Egyptian-European cooperation in renewable energy.