Egypt should focus on wind power projects to meet its ambitious energy targets of generating 20 per cent of its power from renewable sources, says minister of trade and industry Rachid Mohamed Rachid.

According to Rachid, “Wind has much more promising potential [in Egypt] in the medium-term. In the long-term this might be different – it could depend on technology [developments]. The economic cost of wind is much better than that of solar power.”

Further agreements with Spain will lead to ther development of other wind farm projects totalling 480MW in the Gulf of Suez

Egypt currently has several wind farm projects under development or in the pipeline. A 200MW wind farm is planned for the Gulf of El-Zayt with finance from Germany, the European Union and the European Investment Bank (EIB). The project is to come online in 2012-13.

A 220MW project, also in the Gulf of El-Zayt, is planned and an environmental study is under way. Further agreements with Spain will lead to ther development of other wind farm projects totalling 480MW in the Gulf of Suez.

Egypt’s target of generating 20 per cent of its power from renewable sources includes hydroelectric power and possibly nuclear power, says Rachid. He adds, “it is a very aggressive target.”