EU amb.: EU-Egypt efforts in clean energy transition at best in Sharm El Sheikh

15 / 03 / 2024

• news
• The New Republic

• Newly installed Autoclave Unit for medical waste sterilization can treat medical waste generated from the city of Sharm El-Sheikh
• Large solar car shed at Sharm Museum boasts total capacity of 280 KW
• 22-kw solar power station installed to support model green hospital program

EU Ambassador to Egypt Christian Berger said that the EU-Egypt efforts in the clean energy transition is at its best here in Sharm el Sheikh. These efforts focus on solar energy, limiting waste incineration and conservation of biodiversity.

Berger made the remarks while visiting EU and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) funded projects in Sharm El Sheikh under the joint project “Supporting the COP27 Presidency”. 

Berger was accompanied by UNDP Egypt Resident Representative Alessandro Fracassetti and Hoda El-Shawadfy, Assistant Minister of Environment for Environmental Tourism. 

During the visit, they explored solar power plants funded by the European Union in Sharm El-Sheikh. Highlights included a large solar car shed at Sharm Museum boasting a total capacity of 280 KW. Furthermore, they inspected smaller car sheds at the Yacht Marina and the Nature Conservation Sector Building in Sharm City, along with a rooftop solar power station on the new laboratories building in Ras Mohamed Protectorate, totaling 100 kW in capacity. 

These solar power stations were implemented in collaboration with the Industrial Modernization Center, a key partner of the UNDP Egypt “Egypt PV” project. Notably, the project also supported the installation of a 1 MW solar power station on the rooftop of the Sharm Convention Center prior to COP27.

The delegation also visited Sharm International Hospital to observe the newly installed Autoclave Unit for medical waste sterilization. With a capacity of 400 liters, the Autoclave is sufficient to treat the medical waste generated from the city of Sharm El-Sheikh. 

The installation of the autoclave unit was carried out in collaboration with the Egyptian Healthcare Authority. The intervention at Sharm Hospital also included the installation of a 22-kW solar power station to support the model green hospital program promoted by the Healthcare Authority.

During the visit, they also had the opportunity to explore the Ras Mohamed protected area.  Ras Mohamed Laboratory Center, renowned for its provision of  conservation and monitoring of coral reef research and ecology, has also successfully transitioned to solar energy with Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency  under COP27 Presidency project in Ministry of Foreign Affairs, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP.

UNDP Egypt Resident Representative, Alessandro Fracassetti, reiterated “This collaborative project in Sharm El-Sheikh is a testament to our shared commitment to working alongside partners to advance sustainable development, address environmental challenges, and support Egypt’s energy transition. We look forward to continuing our partnership towards a greener and more sustainable future.”

This multi-donor funded project also includes financial contributions from Denmark, Switzerland, the Africa Climate Initiative, and the Rockefeller Foundation.