Egypt-EU interconnection final studies are in the works: The Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company inked a cooperation agreement with UAE-based K&K Group to carry out final technical, environmental, and financial studies for the planned Egypt-Europe electricity interconnection project via Italy, according to a cabinet statement.

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The project will link Egypt’s national grid with that of Europe through Italy’s power grid using subsea cables, paving the way for Egypt to export surplus renewable power — up to 3 GW of transmission capacity — to European markets. The agreement includes all the necessary preparations to kick off the interconnection implementation.

K&K first signaled interest in the project during COP28 by inking an MoU with Italian energy and engineering consultancy firm CESI, before activity stalled during the recent energy crunch. Its re-emergence now suggests renewed confidence in Egypt’s plan to reclaim its net energy exporter status in the near term.

The move also highlights growing investor confidence in Egypt’s technical capabilities and investment climate, Electricity Minister Mahmoud Esmat said.

A return of interconnection momentum? A 3-GW link between Egypt and Europe was proposed by Norwegian renewable energy developer Scatec in February 2023 and got cabinet approval later that year.

REMEMBER- The government plans to boost its electricity interconnection capacity to 3.9 GW by the end of 2026, up from 790 MW last year, a government source told EnterpriseAM in August. The increase will be backed by the completion of multiple regional interconnection projects with Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Greece.

Laying the groundwork: Egypt will bring 2 GW of solar and wind capacity online this year, followed by another 3 GW of solar power next year, Asharq Business reports, citing Trade and Industry Minister Kamel El Wazir.

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