1st-ever Egypt-IEA program aims to expand renewables, cut methane emissions

01 / 11 / 2023

• news
• The New Republic

The International Energy Agency (IEA) and Egypt have signed their first-ever joint work program which will focus on expanding renewables and hydrogen production as well as reducing methane emissions from fossil fuels within the framework of Egypt’s energy transition.

The agreement was signed at the IEA’s Paris headquarters following a meeting between IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, Egypt’s Minister for Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla and Egypt’s Ambassador to France Alaa Youssef.

The two-year joint work program focuses on short- and long-term energy priorities for Egypt, with an emphasis on clean energy transitions, energy security and climate resilience. Workstreams outlined in the program include emissions abatement in oil and gas activities, hydrogen, renewables, and collaboration on data and statistics.

“I am delighted that we will now step-up our cooperation with Egypt, an important member of the IEA Family, on crucial energy security and climate issues,” Dr Birol said. “We are eager to take forward new areas of cooperation with Egypt as the country accelerates its energy transition while ensuring supplies remain affordable and reliable.”

Minister El-Molla stated “The world is now looking for security, affordability and sustainability of energy supplies. As a producer and exporter of natural gas as the cleanest hydrocarbon fuel, Egypt is also well positioned to play a key role in the global energy transition through renewables. We look forward to collaborate as an active association member with the IEA to capitalize on its knowledge and expertise to support the road towards a just and orderly energy transition.”

The priorities set out in the program underscore Egypt’s commitment to reducing its emissions, with the country having also recently joined the Global Methane Pledge and endorsed the Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 Initiative.