This research grant project investigates the barriers and challenges facing Egypt and hindering the achievement of its plan to produce 42% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035. A previous study made by Cairo University addressing different barriers to increased commercialization of renewable energy (RE) projects in Egypt has identified the most important challenges as being relevant to some societal, legislation, policymaking, economic, technological, research & education reasons. Individual work by the Egyptian partner has identified several threats to projects’ sustainability [published articles]. Renewable energy implemented projects are threatened by their sustainability as a result of climatic, operation and maintenance requirements.
This project focuses on challenges relevant to technical, research and education aspects affecting the sustainability of renewable energy. Despite the fact that Egyptian universities offer several RE programmes, the graduates are not well prepared to find solutions to challenges, yet they are capable of conducting the conventional tasks. The project will develop a framework for collaboration among partners for developing working process plans that concentrate on the challenges. Post Graduate students are integrated through the project stages and they are exposed to challenges rather than conventional study. The project focuses on initiating a future platform for building capacity among junior researchers and stakeholders to be prepared for answering or meeting existing and future challenges. Although great efforts have been made on identifying challenges, mitigation and solutions are not available.
Identifying and removing barriers to renewables allow for a shift towards more localized energy and putting the power source closer to people. Findings from this project will foster the private sector to expand in renewable energy projects in Egypt, encourage young researchers to work on technical related barriers standing against the uptake of renewable energy, present ideas for extending the life of implemented projects, and embrace sustainable solutions for future projects. Opportunities identified from localising renewable energy will deliver climate-safe solutions while simultaneously supporting a wide range of socioeconomic advantages such as net job creation, improved health, and increased social inclusion.
The project is administered by two teams a UK team and an Egyptian team from CRE represented by 3 professors, 1 lecturer and 3 RAs. Moreover, several PG students have contributed through their research findings towards the results obtained from the work. The project is funded by UK British Council and the grant total amount is £48,500 and the amount due to the Egyptian partner is £17, 500.