Bilateral project reinforces Egypt's position in the energy field

Egypt’s minister of Energy and Electricity, Ahmad Imam, has announced that an electricity project connecting Egypt and Saudi Arabia would allow for the exchange of 3,000 megawatts of energy, with Egypt becoming the central point of regional electricity connection.

Imam said that Egypt is currently linked with Europe and Turkey via its link with Jordan and Syria on one side and with Morocco and Europe via Libya from another side. It is also linked with Sudan based on twinning projects, and with the other African countries via Sudan and Ethiopia.

The Head of the Arab League, Nabeel al-Arabi, called for Arab integration in energy projects and for the exploitation of renewable energy sources to fulfil the needs of Arab citizens as well as to achieve development.

During his speech in a ceremony to mark Arab Day for Energy Competence, Al-Arabi noted the importance of rationing the consumption of electricity. He said it saves wasted amounts of electricity and raises energy competence. Consequently, this reduces investment in this sector.

Al-Arabi added: “Saving electricity generated by traditional means provides energy producing Arab states with more opportunity to export their produce and sell at global prices instead of selling it locally with supported prices. This reduces the burden on the governments’ budgets.”

He also said that such steps afford new job opportunities by setting up new companies specialised in managing electricity and energy projects.

The Egyptian minister appreciated the choice of May 21 to mark the annual Arab Day for Energy Competence. He said that this achieves one of the goals of the Arabic Ministerial Council for Electricity.

In a speech delivered on behalf of his minister, deputy Egyptian energy and electricity minister Mohamed Imran appreciated the choice of the slogan for Arabic Electricity Day which is: Rationing electricity is an investment of the present and the future.

“This keeps up with the global trend to ration energy use,” he said. This is the most efficient way to reduce the costs of electricity and sharply increases investments which achieve economic and social development, according to him, instead of building new generation plants.

Imam said that rationing electricity use is based on efficient management of the electricity system, which includes the use of modern technologies and increased awareness among households and industrial consumers.