Al-Mashat Inaugurates EU Workshop on Future of Green Hydrogen Industry in Egypt

H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, delivered the opening address at the National Consultation Workshop on Green Hydrogen under the theme “Empowering Egypt: Fuelling the Future with Green Hydrogen Investments,” organized by the European Union. The workshop is part of the EU-supported regional initiative, "MED GEM: Supporting Green Electrons and Molecules’ (GEM) Development in the Southern Mediterranean Neighborhood," which promotes the development of green hydrogen technology as part of the broader transition toward a more sustainable economy. The event was attended by government officials, international experts, academics, and private sector representatives.

Key national entities attending the workshop included the Ministries of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Finance, Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Environment, and Investment, as well as the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone, the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones, and the New and Renewable Energy Authority. International financial institutions present included the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Commission, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank, the German Agency for Development, and the French Development Agency, alongside private sector stakeholders.

In her keynote speech, H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat emphasized that green hydrogen is one of the most promising solutions for tackling global environmental and climate challenges. As a clean energy source, it plays a crucial role in decarbonizing industries that are traditionally difficult to address, such as heavy industries, maritime transport, and aviation. She further noted that green hydrogen is not merely a fuel for the future; it is central to achieving a low-carbon economy that ensures energy security and supports the attainment of sustainable development goals.

Dr. Al-Mashat also stated that green hydrogen represents a golden opportunity for Egypt to bolster its regional and global leadership in the sustainable energy sector. With the passage of Green Hydrogen Incentives Law No. 2 of 2024, Egypt has laid the groundwork for legislative and regulatory frameworks that are pivotal in attracting investments and fostering technological advancements. Egypt aims to capture 8% of the global hydrogen market by 2040, demonstrating a clear strategic vision to strengthen the green economy.

She highlighted Egypt’s key advantages as a prime location for green hydrogen development, including its abundance of renewable energy resources—especially solar and wind—which are critical to producing green hydrogen at competitive costs. Egypt's well-developed infrastructure, including advanced seaports, existing pipelines, and efficient transportation networks, further supports the country’s potential in this field. Moreover, Egypt's strategic location at the crossroads of global trade routes is a vital asset for exporting green hydrogen to both regional and international markets.

Dr. Al-Mashat stressed the importance of international cooperation in achieving Egypt’s green hydrogen objectives, pointing to the vital role of the partnership with the European Union. This collaboration serves as a model for North-South cooperation in tackling climate challenges. She referenced the Memorandum of Understanding signed at the COP27 climate conference on renewable hydrogen, which underscores the shared commitment to promoting clean energy and advancing sustainable development through a constructive Egyptian-European partnership.

In conclusion, Dr. Al-Mashat remarked that the workshop marks another milestone in the journey toward building a long-term strategic partnership in the green hydrogen sector. The outcomes of the discussions will contribute to the EU-Egypt Green Hydrogen Investment Forum, helping to shape clear strategies and establish actionable priorities to strengthen the green hydrogen industry.

Finally, Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted that transitioning successfully to a green hydrogen economy will require overcoming key challenges. These include refining legislative and regulatory frameworks to attract investments and enhance transparency, fostering public-private cooperation to drive innovation and mutual growth, developing the necessary infrastructure for producing, transporting, and exporting green hydrogen, and expanding international partnerships for the exchange of expertise and technology transfer.