Egypt is moving ahead with its clean energy ambitions, with a particular focus on supporting the country’s renewable hydrogen production capacity.
Egyptian Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly has met with representatives of a global consortium, led by Belgian engineering firm John Cockerill and its subsidiary John Cockerill Hydrogen, to discuss the establishment of a large-scale industrial complex for the localisation of electrolyzer component production in Egypt.
The consortium includes key international players such as Norwegian renewable energy company Scatec ASA, French engineering firm Technip Energies, U.S.-based energy multinational SLB (formerly known as Schlumberger), and Rely, a joint subsidiary of Technip Energies and John Cockerill.
The firms aim to set up an electrolyzer manufacturing facility that will contribute to Egypt’s energy transition, allowing the country to capitalise on its renewable resources for green hydrogen production.
At the same meeting, the group also discussed a separate project to establish a green ammonia production facility in Damietta, a coastal city on the Mediterranean.
The green ammonia project will see John Cockerill partnering with Scatec ASA, Yara Clean Ammonia (a subsidiary of Norwegian fertilizer giant Yara International), Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company (ECHEM), and Misr Fertilizer Production Company (MOPCO).
The planned investments for the project exceed USD 900 million, underscoring Egypt’s commitment to becoming a major player in the global green ammonia market.
Green ammonia, produced using renewable hydrogen, is a critical component in the global push for decarbonisation, particularly within the fertilizer industry. The Damietta project will leverage Egypt’s renewable energy resources to produce ammonia sustainably.
The initiative aligns with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions in industrial processes, as green ammonia is considered an eco-friendly alternative to traditional ammonia production, which is heavily reliant on fossil fuels.
The Egyptian government, represented by key ministries and officials, expressed strong support for both projects. The meeting was attended by Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Engineer Karim Badawi, and Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Engineer Mahmoud Essmat. Also present was Ahmed Saad, CEO of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), which will play a key role in facilitating these developments within Egypt’s strategically important economic zone.
The consortium’s delegation included high-level executives from each participating company. Jean Luc Maurange, Board Member of the John Cockerill Group, led the talks alongside Raphael Tello, President of John Cockerill Hydrogen. Mohamed Amer, Vice President of Scatec ASA for the Middle East and North Africa, Damien Eyriès, President of Rely, and Francesco Cammarata, Regional President of Technip Energies for the Middle East and North Africa, also attended.
Also, Sherief Bayoumi, Executive Director of SLB for Egypt, Sudan, and the Eastern Mediterranean, participated in the discussions, highlighting the significance of international cooperation in advancing these projects.
Egypt has made significant strides toward becoming a green energy hub, attracting foreign investment into large-scale renewable projects.
The country’s strategic location, abundant solar and wind resources, and established infrastructure make it an attractive destination for companies aiming to expand their renewable energy portfolios.
The planned electrolyzer production facility and green ammonia project are part of a broader national strategy to diversify Egypt’s energy mix and promote sustainable industrial development.
The electrolyzer production facility will support the development of green hydrogen, which is expected to play a pivotal role in global energy markets as countries transition away from fossil fuels.
Green hydrogen, produced using renewable electricity, can be used as a clean fuel or converted into other valuable products such as ammonia, which has applications in agriculture and transportation.
Egypt has been positioning itself as a key player in the global renewable energy transition. The government has already launched several ambitious projects, including wind and solar power plants, to harness the country’s vast renewable potential.
