Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Dr. Hani Sewilam and Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Dr. Mahmoud Esmat held a joint meeting to discuss mechanisms for cooperation and coordination to expand the use of solar energy in the facilities and stations of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation. This initiative aims to rationalize expenditures, reduce operating costs, and lower carbon emissions.
The meeting reviewed energy consumption indicators at the stations of the Mechanical and Electrical Authority, as well as the Ministry’s plan for a gradual transition to solar energy. This plan begins with small, low-voltage stations, which account for approximately 43% of the total stations. It then progresses to the implementation of a proposed 19-megawatt plant connected to the national electricity grid, ultimately culminating in projects that utilize solar energy and battery storage systems to ensure sustainable operation.
Minister Sewilam stressed the importance of connecting clean energy projects to international climate funding mechanisms. He noted that expanding the use of solar energy in the irrigation sector serves as a practical model that integrates climate change adaptation with emissions reduction, thereby increasing opportunities to secure international funding. He also instructed that studies be conducted on establishing central stations and connecting them to the national grid to serve sites where implementing independent solar power plants is challenging.
For his part, Minister Esmat explained that the availability of local manufacturing for solar panels, along with initiatives supporting clean energy, helps reduce project costs. He emphasized the importance of selecting optimal sites for the plants and considering the costs of connecting to the national grid to achieve maximum economic efficiency.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the two ministers affirmed that cooperation between their ministries serves as a model of integration in implementing green transition projects. This collaboration supports the sustainable management of resources, promotes the use of clean and renewable energy sources, and contributes to achieving sustainable development goals.
Source: Al-Ahram’s official online portal
