Egypt eyes two new hydropower projects in Upper Egypt

More hydropower projects for Egypt? The Egyptian government has reportedly wrapped up studies for two pumped storage hydropower projects in Luxor and Qena with a combined capacity of 2 GW, Asharq Business reports, citing an unnamed government official. The projects could cost up to USD 2.5 bn.

We’ve heard about this before: The news follows reports that the Electricity Ministry plans to carry out USD 4 bn worth of hydroelectric power projects in partnership with private sector players. Among these projects, the ministry is looking to set up a water pumping and storage station with a capacity of 2.4 GW in Egypt’s mountainous Ataka region.

Nile water to power the new projects: Unlike the Ataka project, which will use treated wastewater, the new projects will pump Nile water.

SOUND SMART: Pumped storage hydropower works by using surplus electricity to pump water uphill into a reservoir in periods of low demand or high supply, releasing it downhill through turbines to generate electricity when demand rises or supply falls. This energy storage method allows networks that rely on solar and wind power to keep the lights on even when the wind drops or the sun goes down.

Private sector in focus: The Electricity Ministry plans to offer these projects to investors “over the coming period,” the source told the news outlet.