Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced on Wednesday that Egypt will halt its summer load-shedding power cuts starting Sunday, following the arrival of natural gas shipments. This move aims to resolve a crisis that has affected the country’s 106 million residents.
Egypt to End Summer Load-Shedding Power Cuts Amid Natural Gas Boost
Egypt has faced significant power shortages as soaring temperatures and high cooling demands have driven up electricity consumption. The nation primarily relies on natural gas to generate electricity.
Load-shedding, which involves rotating power cuts to prevent system overload, has been a necessary measure during peak demand. However, the situation has now reached a critical juncture with daily power consumption exceeding 37 gigawatts, a 12% increase from last year, according to Madbouly in a televised press conference.
The petroleum ministry reported on Monday that Egypt has received five shipments of liquefied natural gas (LNG), totaling 155,000 cubic meters, out of the 21 contracted cargoes. This influx of natural gas is crucial for ending the power cuts.
Prime Minister Madbouly highlighted the need for significant imports to meet energy demands. “Egypt requires around $1.18 billion worth of natural gas and mazut fuel oil to put an end to the persistent power cuts,” he stated last month.
Egypt had not imported LNG since 2018, but the combination of a growing population and extensive urban development has led to increased power demand, necessitating the resumption of LNG imports.
Looking ahead, the Egyptian government plans to tackle summer energy demands more sustainably by investing in renewable energy sources. “Our goal is to meet energy needs through renewable investments by 2025,” Madbouly added.
Stay updated as Egypt navigates this energy challenge and works towards a more stable and sustainable power infrastructure.
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