Egypt cooperates with Belgian "DEME" to start producing, exporting green hydrogen

CAIRO – 4 March 2021: Egypt’s Ministries of Electricity and Petroleum and the Navy signed Thursday a cooperation agreement with the Belgian "DEME" company to start special studies fo producing "green hydrogen" and exporting it from Egypt.

The agreement was signed by Gaber El Desouky, Chairman of the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company, and Alan Bernard, Chairman of the Board of Directors of "DEME".

Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli, who witnessed the signing ceremony, emphasized that the signing of this agreement comes within the framework of the implementation of the state’s strategy that aims to expand in the areas of clean and green energy, and increase the share of renewable energy in the electric energy mix.

For his part, Minister of Electricity Mohamed Shaker indicated the interest that the electricity and renewable energy sector attaches to diversifying the sources of electric energy production and making use of Egypt's natural resources, especially new and renewable energy sources, which include the production, use and export of "green hydrogen" in line with the global trend in this field. .

Shaker added that the signing of this agreement heralds the start of studies to implement a pilot project for the production of "green hydrogen" in Egypt, as a step towards expansion in this field to reach the possibility of export, in connection with the global trend to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. With the European Union’s strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions known as the "Green Agreement" during the time period 2035-2050.

The minister explained the global importance of "green hydrogen" as a promising source of energy in the near future, and stated that there is a ministerial committee at the national level to study hydrogen as an energy source in the near future in Egypt, and to discuss all possible alternatives to generate and use hydrogen, and to benefit from international experiences in this regard. Field, noting that the "Energy Strategy in Egypt" will be updated to include "green hydrogen" as an energy source.

For his part, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Belgian company, "DEME", indicated that the project comes within the framework of the Kingdom's pledges to implement the "Green Agreement", as it is one of the member states of the European Union, and from this standpoint the company sought to choose the best sites that are suitable for establishing pivotal centers for production. Green hydrogen. "

He mentioned that the company, after a specialized study, had chosen Egypt to establish the project, due to its distinguished location and its enjoyment of renewable energy sources, especially solar and wind energy, in addition to the availability of qualified onshore and marine infrastructure, and skilled manpower, supported by the balance of distinguished relations that links Egypt and Belgium.