Skip to main content

How solar energy is sparking new business in Egypt

Egypt, which currently gets 90% of its energy from fossil fuels, is trying to take advantage of its plentiful sunshine through solar power.

RTR30BPS.jpg
An employee is seen on the production line of a solar energy factory on the outskirts of Cairo, Nov. 17, 2011. — REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih

CAIRO — Egypt hopes renewable power will cut its reliance on fossil fuel imports and solve some of its energy and economic problems. The entrepreneurial co-founders of a solar startup company want to help.

The country wants to get 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2022, according to the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy.

Al-Monitor sat down with the co-founders of SolarizEgypt, a company that designs, installs and commissions photovoltaic solar power systems, to learn about the firm and the industry. Yaseen Abdel-Ghaffar is managing director of the Cairo business, while Rana Alaa is technical director.

Solar energy is evolving into a malleable new technology that accommodates a variety of needs, Abdel-Ghaffar explained.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

Continue reading this exclusive analysis

Original reporting and analysis unavailable elsewhere. Subscribe to AL-MONITOR to read this story and access everything we publish