Egypt looking forward to enhancing ties with EU states – min.

Electricity Minister Mohamed Shaker said Egypt is looking forward to promoting economic, trade and social relations with European Union states.

Shaker made the remarks on Tuesday during a meeting with Swedish Minister for EU Affairs and Trade Ann Linde, Swedish Ambassador in Cairo Jan Thesleff and representatives from ABB company on means of boosting investments in Egypt, especially in the electricity domain.

Shaker highlighted the efforts exerted to bridge the gap between electricity production and demand, citing the electricity crisis which Egypt suffered over the past period.

Shaker said preparations are underway for a project to set up clean coal power stations in tandem with the private sector to generate up to 6000 megawatts.

Japanese, Chinese, American and Egyptian companies are vying for the project, he added.

The ministry seeks to expand renewable energy projects , he said.

Under the ministry’s plan, new and renewable energy should contribute by 20 percent in generating Egypt’s energy needs by 2022 and 42 percent by 2035, he said.

To meet this target Egypt is now building the world’s largest solar energy complex west of Aswan, he noted.

He added that Egypt’s distinguished location made it central for power linkage projects connecting the Gulf and the Arab Maghreb and Mashriq countries.

Egypt and Saudi Arabia are already working on finalizing their own joint power linkage project, he said.

He highlighted the memo signed between the Egyptian Electricity Holding Co and a Cypriot company to prepare a feasibility study for a power linkage project involving Egypt, Greek and Cyprus.

The Swedish minister stressed her country’s interest in cooperating with Egypt in its renewable energy projects.

ABB representatives underlined keenness on contributing to power linkage projects, noting that Egypt has all qualifications to become a regional energy hub. (MENA)