Commencement of technical studies to implement 5 water desalination plants using solar energy in the governorates of Port Said, Alexandria, Matrouh, and the Red Sea.

The "NWFE" program, in coordination with national entities, is working on studying the localization of solar panel manufacturing in Egypt and formulating mechanisms to encourage investment and attract the private sector.

A detailed framework has been established for the activities and components of the solar-powered irrigation system expansion project in the New Valley governorate.

A progress report on the country platform for the "NWFE" program revealed updates on the implementation of water-related projects, which include two projects: the solar-powered irrigation system expansion project and the water desalination using renewable energy project.

H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, stated that the country platform for the "NWFE" program has sought to rally global and national efforts to explore ways of supporting the private sector in implementing water desalination projects using renewable energy, in line with the national strategy to expand the establishment of seawater desalination plants. The platform also aims to explore ways to localize the industry for the solar-powered irrigation system expansion project.

The report outlined the outputs of the technical qualification stage for the "water" pillar projects, specifically the (desalination of water using renewable energy) project, which includes 5 desalination plants in the governorates of Port Said, Alexandria, Matrouh, and the Red Sea (two plants). This project is being implemented by the Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB). In efforts to secure the necessary technical and financial support for the preparation of the technical studies and project design, a grant from the African Water Facility (AWF) has been secured for preparing the necessary technical studies for implementing 5 water desalination plants using renewable energy. This will be carried out in a public-private partnership (PPP) with the aim of increasing water volume by 525,000 cubic meters per day across four governorates.

Additionally, a grant from the Middle-Income Countries Technical Assistance Fund (MIC TAF) has been provided for the preparation of environmental and social assessment studies for the project, along with capacity building for the workforce in the water sector.

The report also highlighted developments in the (solar-powered irrigation system expansion) project, which includes 19 wells in Kharga and Darb El-Arbaeen, 11 wells managed by the General Administration of Groundwater in Dakhla and East El-Owainat, and 10 wells managed by the General Administration of Groundwater in Farafra. This project is being implemented by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, in collaboration with the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development.

The report highlighted that a detailed framework for the activities, components, and preparation requirements for the project has been established through consultations with national partners at the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and the Ministry of Industry. The goal of the project studies is to expand the use of solar-powered pumps for groundwater extraction from wells serving the New Valley governorate and small farmers and remote rural communities in Egypt.

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat confirmed that the platform, in coordination with relevant partners, aims to develop a comprehensive study on using solar energy in irrigation systems and the role of startups, manufacturers, and policymakers in encouraging investment in solar-powered irrigation. This aims to explore available investment opportunities to localize solar panel manufacturing in Egypt and to develop proposed tools and mechanisms to incentivize investors and attract the private sector.

Regarding international partnerships to complement the efforts of the country platform for the "NWFE" program in the water pillar, the report clarified that the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, in cooperation with the European Union, launched the "Team Europe Initiative." was during the Cairo Water Week held under the patronage of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in October 2024. The initiative is a new step to support joint efforts between Egypt and the European Union to drive the green transition in water, agricultural, and rural development sectors. The initiative aims to improve environmental conditions and enhance rural development by addressing key challenges facing agriculture and water sectors and supporting efforts to adapt to climate change.