Embassy of Denmark in Cairo hosts the first steering committee meeting of the Energy Strategic Sector Cooperation

Ahmed Tantawi

On March 2, 2021 Embassy of Denmark in Cairo in cooperation with the Danish Energy Agency (DEA) and the Egyptian Energy authorities, hosted the  first steering committee meeting of the Egyptian-Danish energy cooperation that was signed in August 2020. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the work-plan of the SSC within the coming three years.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Egyptian Deputy Minister of Electricity & Renewable Energy, Dr. Osama Aly Asran and the Danish Ambassador to Cairo, H.E Mr. Svend Olling and attended by the steering committee members from the Egyptian energy sector partners represented by the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity & Renewable Energy, Ministry of International Cooperation, Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC), Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC), New & Renewable Energy Authority (NREA), and the Egyptian Electric Utility & Consumer Protection Regulatory Agency (EGYPTERA).

Due to the current pandemic, the Danish Energy Agency (DEA) representatives joined the meeting virtually in Copenhagen and the virtual meeting was led by DEA’s Deputy Director of the Global Cooperation, Mr. Ole EmmikSornesen.

H.E Mr. Svend Olling underligned that Denmark is keen to enhance its cooperation with Egypt in many sectors, but especially on renewable energy. Egypt is already a world leader in the transition to renewables and for Denmark combatting Climate Change is a top political priority.

Dr. Osama Aly Asran mentioned that Denmark is a major partner to Egypt when it comes to projects related to the energy sector and climate change and this was shown over many decades through the cooperation with theDanish International Development Agency (DANIDA) that played a major role in energy transformation in Egypt.

The SSC is a three year program supported by DEA and comprised of three main workstreams which are:

• Increased capability in power sector planning for variable renewable energy.
• Enhanced power system ability to integrate the renewable energy generated in the power system in a cost- effective way.
• Options for wind energy development in Egypt assessed and reviewed.

There is also a possibility to add other areas of cooperation that could cover energy efficiency, interconnections, electrification, and environmental studies.

All parties involved agreed that the implementation phase of the SSC should start immediately.