Egypt in talks with China Energy on solar, battery localisation

Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mahmoud Esmat, met with China Energy representatives to discuss renewable energy cooperation, focusing on the localisation of the company’s technology for manufacturing solar cells and energy storage batteries.

The minister discussed with company representatives plans to develop 1,000 MW of solar power projects, a 600-MW battery energy storage system and a separate 1,000-MW storage project, the ministry said.

The meeting also covered state measures to support technology transfer and local industry, with Esmat saying a strategy is being implemented to boost localisation, modernise the grid and prioritise local products under the National Energy Strategy.

Esmat added that rules are being developed to raise the share of local components in renewable energy projects to 60% and that Egypt is working to attract more foreign investment and technology providers.

Egypt has already drawn Chinese manufacturers to support the localisation of renewable energy technology. In late 2024, Elite Solar began building a factory in Sokhna to produce N-type solar cells and module-cell-wafer photovoltaic systems, with an annual capacity of 2 GW. The first phase of the plant is scheduled to open in September 2025.