Minister of Petroleum: Natural gas is a starting point for energy transformation and emissions reduction
Tarek El Molla, Minister of Petroleum
Iman Al-Wasili Engineer Tariq Al-Mulla confirmed The Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources said that the Egyptian state has attached great importance to the transition to clean energy and the green economy, explaining that the implementation of expansion programs using natural gas as a clean fuel was an important starting point towards energy transformation and reducing emissions, as the consumption of natural gas in Egypt increases steadily to reach more than 65% of Its consumption of hydrocarbon or conventional fuel. Ambassador Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Tarek El Molla, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and Dr. Muhammad Shaker, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, and Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Cooperation, signed a memorandum of understanding between the Ministries of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Electricity and Renewable Energy with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to assess the economics of low-carbon hydrogen in Egypt. Egypt, which requires extensive cooperation and studies with the help of major international institutions. The memorandum was signed by Eng. Alaa Hajar, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Petroleum for the Technical Office, and Dr. Ahmed Mahina, First Undersecretary of the Ministry of Electricity for Planning, with Mr. Mark Bowman, Vice President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
This came during Eng. Tarek El-Molla’s speech during the celebration of the launch of the country strategy for development cooperation between Egypt and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, in the presence of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Electricity, Renewable Energy, International Cooperation, Transport, Environment, Industry, Tourism and Antiquities and A number of members of the House of Representatives and the Senate and heads of local and international companies. Al-Mulla explained that the efforts made included initiatives to expand the use of compressed natural gas as a fuel for vehicles and means of transportation, which is used by 420,000 cars so far, in addition to expanding the establishment of natural gas car refueling stations, which reached more than 600 stations nationwide. The Republic within a short period to encourage and facilitate citizens, and more than 13 million housing units benefit from natural gas, and this number is increased through the delivery of gas to one million and 200 thousand new units annually, pointing out that Egypt, in cooperation with the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum, launched two initiatives to remove Carbon from gas and the use of liquefied gas as fuel for ships. He added that these efforts included, in addition, the implementation of projects to improve energy efficiency, numbering about 90 projects, which contributed to reducing more than 500,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually, adding that the petroleum sector has implemented 13 projects to use flare gases in facilities. Petroleum led to a reduction of 900,000 tons per year No carbon dioxide emissions within the framework of the World Bank initiative in this field, in which Egypt participates.
He pointed out that Egypt sets its sights on playing a pivotal role in producing hydrogen as a clean fuel and exporting it to global and European markets to reach carbon neutrality because of its great competitive opportunities in light of the strategic location Availability of infrastructure, natural gas sources and renewable energy. Al-Mulla stressed that the petroleum sector is keen in this context to improve environmental compatibility and support this dimension in its activities. Al-Mulla concluded by stressing the importance of the current efforts of all ministries in the National Hydrogen Committee, and that the ministry is looking forward to strengthening cooperation with all parties locally and internationally to support the efforts of Egypt and the world to achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. He also expressed his aspiration for fruitful cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development through the memorandum of understanding signed in order to reach important outputs before the summit. Climate Cop380 hosted by Egypt.
Signing a memorandum of understanding in the field of hydrogen
