• Egypt plans to modernize hydropower plants, boost efficiency and coordination
• Hydropower made up 7.2% of Egypt’s electricity in 2023, IEA says
• Move aligns with Egypt’s 42% renewables target and regional hydropower trend

Egypt’s Electricity and Renewable Energy Minister Mahmoud Esmat and Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Hani Sewilam met on Sunday at the Electricity Ministry’s headquarters in the new administrative capital to discuss closer coordination between their ministries. The talks focused on modernizing the country’s hydropower plants, including the Aswan High Dam, and optimizing existing assets to boost efficiency.

Esmat said the government considers hydropower a key part of national grid stability and reliable electricity supply. He added that the initiative is part of Egypt’s plan to raise the share of renewable energy to 42% by 2030 and 40% by 2040. Sewilam, meanwhile, emphasized the need for high-level coordination between the High Dam Authority and the Egyptian Hydroelectric Power Plants Company to maintain sustainable and efficient generation.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), hydropower accounted for 7.2% of Egypt’s total electricity generation in 2023, producing 15,458 GWh, more than the combined output of solar and wind. Its contribution has remained stable for the past 25 years, underscoring its steady role in balancing a grid dominated by natural gas. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that installed hydropower capacity reached 2,832 MW at the end of 2024.

Although often overlooked in energy transition debates, hydropower remains critical to power system security and flexibility. Globally, it produced about 4,500 TWh in 2024, or 14% of total electricity, according to the International Hydropower Association. In Africa, only 11% of potential capacity is tapped, yet it already provides nearly 20% of the continent’s power.

The Egyptian initiative reflects renewed recognition of hydropower’s strategic role in the energy transition and aligns with a broader regional trend. Several African nations, including Ethiopia with the Grand Renaissance Dam, are relying on hydropower to strengthen supply and stabilize their electricity grids.

Abdoullah Diop