Government officials, public sector stakeholders and regulators will gather in Cairo for next February a special summit aimed at engaging investors and developers for a slew of major energy and infrastructure projects. Egypt is looking to attract development finance institutions (DFIs) and private sector investment to build 30 GW of electricity generation, transmission and distribution projects that are about to go to tender. The Egypt Energy Investment Summit will take place from 16 - 18 February in Cairo, designed to drive forward investments into Egypt's energy sector. The meeting will cover central issues including the progress in the renewable energy FIT programme, the ‘Build-Own-Operate' projects and the IPP scheme, showcasing the pro-activeness of government to engage credible investors efficiently and commercially. Speaking recently about the signing of the Dairut IPP deal, Egyptian Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mohamed Shaker: "Egypt is committed to meeting its energy needs and access to electricity to promote economic growth is an absolute priority." Egypt's National Energy Strategy will also be discussed with all stakeholders including; the New and Renewable Energy Authority, EgyptERA, Egyptian Electricity Holding Company participating, as well as the leading private and international investors Elsewedy, EGAS, World Bank, AfDB, IFC, EBRD, KfW, The Egyptian Exchange, Schneider Electric, Siemens, ABB to name a few. Commenting on the aims of the National Energy Strategy 2035, Eng. Hatem Waheed, Managing Director of the Egyptian Electricity Utility and Consumer Protection Regulatory Agency, said: "Egypt will create a highly competitive and proper environment for new investment in conventional and renewable energy and energy efficiency". South Africa's Department of Energy and IPP Office will participate at the meeting, sharing experience of their hugely well-received REIPPP Programme and collaborating with Egyptian stakeholders to promote renewable energy development in the country. Additionally we will focus heavily on the future of Egypt's gas strategy and discuss what role Egypt could play in South Africa's Gas IPPP Programme, as well the potential for South African coal in Egypt's massive Coal IPP Programme. The scale of this partnership would create a South: East Africa Trade Corridor, drawing in countries such as Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya, boosting agriculture, mining and all sectors, increasing energy access and wealth for billions of people across the region. "This is such an important meeting, we hope that our long standing partners will take advantage of the platform and contribute to this unparalleled opportunity for energy investors." As with other EnergyNet meetings, this is a private investor meeting to connect the utility, gas company and ministry with the ‘outstanding' companies that operate on the continent and is not an open forum for non-commercial or businesses operating outside of the electricity investment sector.
