Egypt is preparing to expand the adoption of renewable energy within its industrial sector through a new government-backed initiative centered on rooftop solar systems for factories. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly chaired a meeting to examine the proposed program, which is designed to increase the use of clean energy sources across industrial facilities nationwide, according to an official statement. During the meeting, Madbouly reaffirmed the government’s commitment to increasing dependence on renewable energy, making greater use of the country’s available resources and capabilities, and lowering the cost burden associated with petroleum product imports. The initiative reflects Egypt’s broader effort to position rooftop solar as a central component of industrial energy strategy.
Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem said the Industry Sun initiative is expected to support the industrial sector while reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable economic growth. The initiative, which is expected to launch soon, aims to generate 1,000 megawatts (MW) of solar energy through the use of factory rooftops. According to Hashem, the plan is built around making solar energy a key driver for enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian industry and reducing production costs. The rooftop solar strategy is also expected to ease pressure on natural gas supplies and the national electricity grid while strengthening energy security for manufacturers. In addition, the program is intended to improve factories’ resilience against global market volatility and crises, while supporting Egyptian exports through lower carbon footprints and reinforcing Egypt’s role as a regional hub connecting industry, energy, green transition, and clean supply chains.
Hashem also outlined the proposed sectoral allocation for implementing the initiative, including anticipated solar generation capacity by industrial segment and the number of factories expected to participate in each sector. He noted that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and industries with high daytime electricity consumption stand to benefit significantly from rooftop solar, which could meet a substantial share of their electricity needs. The minister said the 1,000 MW program would require nearly 7 million square meters of usable rooftop space and would target approximately 7,000 factories, representing close to 10% of Egypt’s certified industrial base. The initiative is structured around an average installed capacity of about 150 kilowatts per factory, with larger systems designated for facilities with greater electricity demand and more rooftop space, while smaller systems would serve light and medium industries according to operational requirements.
During the meeting, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat reviewed the environmental and economic feasibility of solar energy systems and highlighted expected savings in conventional fuels resulting from the initiative. Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk stated that the government already possesses clear figures related to the project and intends to coordinate with financing entities to launch the initiative soon. Meanwhile, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid proposed several additions aimed at expanding financing participation and stressed the importance of including factories located in free zones and investment zones within the rooftop solar program. At the conclusion of the meeting, Madbouly instructed officials to quickly complete the initiative’s framework before submitting it to the Cabinet for approval ahead of the official rollout.
