As part of its climate policy, the Egyptian government will put 70 electric buses on the road in the governorate of Cairo. These locally manufactured vehicles will serve the population while contributing to the fight against air pollution.
In the lead up to hosting the United Nations Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP27) in November 2022, Egypt is working to promote green mobility. In this context, the Ministry of State for Military Production and the Ministry of Local Development have signed an agreement for the acquisition of 70 electric buses that will be used in Cairo from October 2022.
At a total cost of 323 million Egyptian pounds (more than $17 million), these electric buses called “Setibus” are produced locally in the factory of the Egyptian manufacturer Manufacturing Commercial Vehicles (MCV) based in Salheya, in the governorate of Ach-Sharqiya. With a maximum speed of 70 km/h, the “Setibus” can carry up to 73 passengers, or 49 seats. According to the Egyptian authorities, the electric bus is equipped with automatic air conditioning and an intelligent system for internet services.
Towards more sustainable transport
The acquisition of these new vehicles contributes to the reduction of pollution in Egypt. The Egyptian government plans to accelerate the construction of electric car charging stations. “It’s about promoting local industrialisation in the field of modern transport using natural gas and electricity,” says Mahmoud Shaarawy. According to the Egyptian Minister of Local Development, some of the 70 electric buses ordered will also be deployed in the seaside city of Sharm-el-Sheikh for the duration of COP27.
Earlier in April 2022, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) provided the government of Egypt with a €250 million loan under its Green Cities programme. The funding will be used to upgrade and electrify a railway line between the port city of Alexandria and the city of Abu Qir in the north-east of the country.
Source: Afrik 21
The Egyptian company Taqa Arabia is commissioning a solar photovoltaic plant in Soma Bay, a resort on the Red Sea in Egypt. In the wake of the plant's inauguration, Taqa has signed an agreement to build a solar-powered desalination plant.
In Egypt, the resort of Soma Bay is now powered by solar energy. A clean energy plant was recently commissioned by Taqa Arabia, a Cairo-based company. The inauguration ceremony was attended by officials from Taqa Arabia, which owns the solar power plant, as well as Ibrahim El-Missiri, the chairman and CEO of Abu Soma Tourism Development Company (ASDC).
The solar power plant, which has a capacity of 5 MWp, was built by Taqa Power, the subsidiary of Taqa Arabia Group. The clean electricity is sold to ASDC under a 30-year power purchase agreement. “Our main objective is to generate the required energy using solar to reduce electricity and seawater desalination costs. This project aligns with Egypt’s vision to explore and diversify the country’s energy resources,” says Ibrahim El-Missiri.
The Taqa solar project required an investment of $4 million. The two companies will strengthen their partnership in the water sector. ASDC has also agreed with Taqa to build a seawater desalination plant. The facility will provide drinking water to Soma Bay’s tourist facilities using renewable energy to reduce the carbon footprint associated with seawater desalination.
According to Pakinam Kafafi, Taqa Arabia’s managing director, the future desalination plant will be equipped with “the latest energy saving technologies to rationalise the consumption of energy resources and thus achieve energy efficiency of the facility.” The capacity of the future plant is not yet known. This will undoubtedly be known after the feasibility study phase.
Source: Afrik21
As part of its "Future in Action" strategy for sustainable development, the Egyptian subsidiary of the Mexican company Cemex, which specialises in construction materials, has joined forces with the VeryNile initiative to collect the solid waste responsible for polluting the Nile. This river is the main source of water for the country.
As the pollution of the Nile impacts on agriculture and the supply of drinking water, the Egyptian subsidiary of the Mexican construction materials company Cemex has signed a partnership with VeryNile, a project that fights against the pollution of this 6,671 km long river. The partnership aims to expand solid waste collection operations in the river, whose resources are needed especially by the fishing community of Qursaya Island in the Cairo metropolitan area.
“We will co-treat the waste that is dumped to contribute to the ‘zero waste in landfills’ challenge, with a view to protecting the Nile from behaviours that lead to its pollution,” says Fernando Gonzales, Cemex’s CEO. The company, based in San Pedro Garza García, Mexico, is mainly active in the cement, concrete and aggregates sector in Egypt.
According to Khaled El-Farra, Director of the Environment and Sustainable Development Department of the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this partnership will last for three years and will allow the collection of approximately 20 tons of waste per month. In addition to financial support, Cemex will strengthen the equipment used for waste collection and contribute to the promotion of the circular economy in the Cairo governorate.
Ridding the Nile of solid waste
The second longest river in the world after the Amazon (6,692 km) in South America, the Nile is polluted by sewage, waste, and pesticides used for agriculture, especially in its delta. According to the Egyptian Ministry of the Environment, the Nile is also the outlet for 549 million m3 of liquid industrial waste every year. The chemicals and heavy metals it contains come directly from the 345 industrial complexes located along the Nile between Aswan and Cairo.
In this context, VeryNile is setting up a sustainable ecosystem to recycle plastic and other fishermen’s waste collected from the river. The initiative was launched in 2018 by start-ups Bassita, which specialises in cyber awareness and fundraising for positive initiatives, and Greenish which designs and implements sustainable environmental solutions.
The platform also raises awareness against the use of single-use plastic. “VeryNile was created with a strong commitment to preserve the Nile by removing plastics and harmful waste from the river while empowering local communities,” says Alban de Menonville, founder of VeryNile based in the Egyptian city of Giza.
Source: Afrik21
1.1GW wind project will be located in the Gulf of Suez and Gabal el Zeit area of country
A consortium led by ACWA Power has announced the signing of a project agreement to develop a 1.1GW wind project in Egypt, at an investment value of $1.5bn. The consortium, comprising of ACWA Power and Hassan Allam Holding, will work together during the development phase to complete the site studies and secure the financing of the facility.
According to a statement, the wind project is the largest single contracted wind farm in the Middle East region, and is one of the largest onshore wind farms in the world. It is located the Gulf of Suez and Gabal el Zeit area.
The project will be designed to use state-of-art wind turbines with blade heights of up to 220m, which helps in achieving the best use of the designated land plots in the most efficient way. When complete, the project will mitigate the impact of 2.4mn tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year and provide electricity to 1,080,000 households, it continued.
“This milestone wind project falls within the framework of the Egyptian government’s strategy to diversify its energy sources and leverage the country’s rich natural resources, especially in renewable energy. The Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy is taking concrete actions to ensure the resilience of our energy strategy, because of the escalating changes that the world is witnessing, which aim to increase the contribution of renewable energy to up to 42% by 2035,” said Dr. Mohamed Shaker El-Markabi, Egypt’s Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy.
He added the 1.1GW wind project confirms Egypt’s commitment in spearheading the use of renewable energy sources to reduce the impact of carbon emissions produced by conventional energy sources, as Egypt gears up to host the United Nations Climate Conference (COP 27) in November 2022.
The project is a leading example of the Egyptian government’s efforts to increase the participation of the private sector in implementing green energy projects in Egypt as well as attracting investments from international, Arab and local companies into the country, the minister said.
“We are honoured to contribute to the strengthening ties of Saudi Arabia, our home, and Egypt via this milestone wind project, and extend our sincerest gratitude to the leaders of both countries in entrusting their faith in our abilities to realise their renewable energy mandates,” said Mohammad Abunayyan, ACWA Power Chairman.
“With sustainable development at the top of the agenda for both states, progress cannot be made without concerted efforts in expanding infrastructure that is underpinned by renewables. This wind project demonstrates a commitment to realising a greener tomorrow, despite global economic volatility, and we look forward to working with like-minded partners for a positive future,” he added.
This is ACWA Power’s third project—and first wind farm—in Egypt, after the 120MW Ben Ban solar independent power projects in the Aswan region and the 200MW Kom Ombo solar plant.
Hassan Allam Utilities, the investment and development arm for Hassan Allam Holding, currently operates a 50MW solar plant in Benban solar park cementing its position as one of Egypt’s leading green energy producers. The 1.1GW wind project is forecasted to reach financial close by the third quarter of 2024. The plant will be commercially operational by the end of 2026.
“The project marks an important milestone in Egypt’s plans to decarbonise the energy sector and meet its targets under the country’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). We are proud to be part of this flagship project and look forward to a fruitful partnership,” said Dalia Wahba, Deputy CEO and Chief Investment Officer of Hassan Allam Utilities.
“Egypt has embarked on a serious economic reform programme sending a clear invitation to the private sector to support in building a greener and brighter future. As a group, Hassan Allam Holding is committed to be a positive contributor to the environment. We are adopting sustainability principles and expanding our investments into large scale green energy projects,” she concluded.
Source: ME Construction News
Faced with the lack of waste sorting and recycling infrastructure in Egypt, the start-up Dawarha is launching a technological solution called "RVM" to encourage people to manage waste sustainably in this North African country where the soil and the sea pay the price of plastic pollution.
With its 102 million inhabitants, Egypt generates 5.4 million tons of waste per year. In this context, the start-up Dawarha develops and manufactures reverse vending machines (RVM) using artificial intelligence (AI) to reward consumers for depositing single-use plastic bottles or cans. The app-powered device allows the start-up to collect an average of 15,000 bottles per month from people in Cairo.
“Once the RVM accepts a plastic bottle or can, customers receive a reward in the form of new water bottles, coupons that can be used in local stores. We currently have three dark stores (spaces that serve as micro fulfilment centers) for the waste collection and sorting processes. The collected items are then dropped off at a recycling centre,” explains Justina Adel, co-founder of Dawarha.
Ridding governorates of waste
The start-up is collaborating with several companies involved in the fight against pollution such as Swiss multinational Nestlé, American soft drink giant Coca-Cola and French supermarket chain Carrefour, especially with the aim of expanding its scheme to all governorates in Egypt. To facilitate this expansion, Dawarha has raised $1.5 million from a group of investors to acquire and deploy 200 reverse vending machines by 2023.
This joins Plastic Bank’s initiative to combat ocean pollution around the world. The Vancouver, Canada-based Company plans to collect 5,000 tons of plastic waste annually in Egypt by 2023, including the creation of new collection centers in the provinces of Alexandria, Assiut, Kafr el-Sheikh and Menoufeya, where individuals will be able to exchange their plastic waste for money, goods or digital services.
Source: Afrik21
The Egyptian subsidiary of the German food company Lorenz Snack-World has signed a partnership with Plastic Bank, a company committed to fighting plastic waste in the oceans. The two partners will collect more than one million single-use plastic bottles in several governorates of Egypt.
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Egypt generates an average of 270,000 tonnes of plastic waste out of the 570,000 tonnes that cross the Mediterranean each year. This is the background to a new partnership between the Egyptian subsidiary of German food company Lorenz Snack-World and Plastic Bank, a company committed to the fight against plastic waste in the oceans. The alliance will allow the collection of at least 20,000 kilograms of plastic waste, or more than one million single-use plastic bottles, by the end of 2022.
The operation, which will be carried out in several Egyptian governorates such as Cairo, aims to improve the living conditions of coastal communities. “Plastic Bank wants to reduce plastic waste to support the vision of environmental sustainability, social development and circular economy in Egypt,” says Amr El-Kady, Plastic Bank’s regional director for Egypt, Middle East and Africa.
For his part, Lorenz Snack-World’s General and Financial Director in Egypt, Abdulla Ezzat, suggested that his company will provide plastic waste collectors with basic necessities for their families, including food, in exchange for their waste. Founded in 1899, the company has over 3,000 employees and exports its crisp ranges to over 80 countries.
Improving the waste management system in Cairo
In 2020, the Egyptian government allocated 12 billion Egyptian pounds (more than $641 million) for the establishment of a waste management system aimed at eliminating several landfills and recovering energy from waste across the country. In Cairo, this budget allowed for the establishment of two recycling kiosks where Cairo residents could exchange their waste, including cans, tins and plastic bottles, for cash.
Cairo city authorities are planning to hand over the supervision of municipal waste management to a private company by 2023. The company will be responsible for monitoring the collection, transportation, sanitation, treatment and disposal of solid waste in this governorate of 10 million people.
Source: Afrik21
The Egyptian subsidiary of French energy company Schneider Electric has entered into a partnership with Egyptian real estate developer Tatweer Misr for the digital transformation of several cities in the country. The agreement, which includes the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the design and implementation of smart cities, will enable the North African country to develop sustainable communities by focusing on energy efficiency.
As part of its 2052 vision, Egypt wants to double its urban area from 7% to 14%. In this process, which includes the development of 61 cities, 24 will be developed on the basis of sustainability. And to support this policy, the French group Schneider Electric is partnering with real estate company Tatweer Misr to implement three smart city projects in Galala in the governorate of Suez, Fouka Bay and D-Bay on the north coast, and Bloomfields in Mostakbal, in the governorate of Giza.
According to Fouad Zayed, vice president of digital energy and EcoStruxure for Egypt, North East Africa and the Levant cluster at Schneider Electric, Tatweer Misr will use its iTWO platform to bridge the gap between the real and the virtual and provide building information modelling (BIM 5D) as well as operational costing and construction time for these real estate projects.
The agreement was sealed by the two partners at the Middle East and Africa (MENA) Innovation Summit hosted by Schneider Electric in Dubai from 18 to 19 May 2022. With a turnover of 26 billion euros in 2021, the group headed by Jean-Pascal Tricoire offers energy solutions and automation systems to homes, data centres and industries in some 100 countries, including Egypt.
From digital transformation to energy efficiency
In 2014, the Egyptian government adopted its integrated strategy for sustainable energy by 2035, with the aim of phasing out the energy subsidy regime, diversifying the electricity mix to 42% renewable energy, and promoting energy efficiency. To achieve this, the country is supported by its development partners such as the French Development Agency (AFD), which has already injected 795 million euros into low-carbon investment projects through its private sector financing subsidiary Proparco.
At the same time, the energy sector reforms sought by the Egyptian authorities have gradually led the country to replace obsolete meters with prepaid and smart digital meters since 2020. The initiative, implemented by Giza-based electricity grid solutions provider Globaltronics, received $10 million in funding from the World Bank through the International Finance Corporation (IFC), its private sector financing arm.
Source: Afrik21
The project will capture and store between 25,000 and 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually
Egypt and Italian energy company Eni plan to develop a project to capture and store carbon dioxide in the Meleiha field as the North African country moves to reduce emissions.
The project, which will entail an investment of $25 million, will capture and store between 25,000 and 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, said Tarek El Molla, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, according to UAE state news agency Wam.
Carbon capture, and storage refers to a method where carbon dioxide is captured from industrial sources or directly from the atmosphere and is compressed and transported to be used elsewhere or injected into deep geological formation, according to the International Energy Agency.
The project is unveiled as the Arab region’s most populous country prepares to host the UN’s Cop27 climate change conference and summit in Sharm El Sheikh in November this year. The UAE will host the Cop28 summit in 2023.
Egypt accounts for only 0.6 per cent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions, Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad said at a petroleum conference in Cairo in February this year.
Removing carbon will be crucial to achieving the Paris Agreement’s goal of capping the rise in global temperatures at 1.5°C or 2°C above pre-industrial levels, according to energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie. About 1.8 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent over the next 30 years need to be actively removed to reach the mandated 1.5°C target, the consultancy said.
Globally, about 33 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide were emitted in 2019. Carbon capture and storage projects across the world are able to capture only a fraction of the emissions, at about 40 million tonnes annually.
Egypt’s first carbon capture and storage project will focus on the extraction of algae oil to be used in biofuel production. It will have an annual production capacity of 350,000 tonnes for an investment of $600m, Mr El Molla said.
The project will contribute to the reduction of 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, the minister said.
The second project will produce biodegradable plastics with a capacity of 75,000 tonnes at an investment of $600m. It aims to reduce 45,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, according to the minister.
The third project aims to convert plastic waste into oil to be used as a raw material in polyethylene production. It will have an annual output of 30,000 tonnes for an investment of $50m.
It plans to reduce 63,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, Mr El Molla said.
The North African country is also planning to include green hydrogen in its energy mix and plans to unveil a green hydrogen strategy by October.
Suez Canal Economic Zone offered H2 Industries preliminary approval for a $3 billion waste-to-hydrogen plant in East Port Said.
Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company Masdar and Hassan Allam Utilities also signed two preliminary agreements with Egyptian state-backed organisations last month to co-operate on the development of green hydrogen production plants in the Suez Canal Economic Zone and the Mediterranean coast.
In April, Egypt signed a $3bn agreement with a consortium led by French company EDF Renewables and Egyptian company Zero Waste to develop a green hydrogen megaproject in Ain Sokhna on the Red Sea that will produce up to 350,000 tonnes of green fuel annually for ships passing through the Suez Canal.
It also partnered with Norway’s Scatec in March to build the country’s first green ammonia plant at a cost of $5bn, with a production capacity starting at one million tonnes a year, increasing to three million tonnes.
Source: The National News
VERTECO, the region’s leading specialists in water conservation solutions, smart washroom technologies and smart water management, have been announced as the official distributors of the Smixin handwashing system, an innovative solution set to revolutionize the way we wash our hands in public places.
Smixin is the brainchild of Swiss inventor Elmar Mock, co-inventor of the Swatch watch. Recognising the considerable water-saving potential of something like handwashing, which we all do many times a day, the system was created to address not only global water shortage challenges, but to also address public hygiene concerns.
The mobile, fully automatic station makes hand washing accessible to everyone, wherever and whenever it is needed. From the counters in food courts and hotel buffets to school playgrounds and busy airport terminals, the free-standing system can be conveniently located in crowded places, promoting health and sustainability, and helping business achieve environmental and cost efficiencies at the same time.
VERTECO, regarded regionally as the pioneers of sustainability, already offer an award-winning portfolio of water saving technologies and smart washroom sensor-driven 3D IoT solutions. All of their products aim to promote responsible behaviours and lower the UAE’s collective water footprint, so the addition of the Smixin system was an obvious choice.
Hand washing is, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of viruses. Bacteria and germs live on our hands and are easily transferred to the inside of our mouths, leading to illnesses and infections. Hand sanitizing before eating isn’t ideal and visiting busy washrooms isn’t always desirable or possible. But while handwashing remains an absolute necessity in life, it doesn’t always align with a sustainable use of natural resources.
In line with VERTECO’s water-saving solutions, the Smixin system guarantees the most ecological usage of water, soap and paper of any hand washing. With pre-set parameters, consumption of water, soap and paper towels is regulated, meaning only 0.2 litres of water is used, a saving of 90% water compared to the average hand wash. It also reduces soap consumption and paper towel use by 60%, compared to conventional dispensers.
The system delivers impeccable hygiene standards too, with a unique touchless handwash solution. You simply place your hands in the system and a mix of water and soap are dispensed, followed by a paper towel, with the entire process taking under 15 seconds. The highest standards of hand sanitation are delivered, with a minimum of resources, and without compromising on user experience.
James Fortier, Business Development Ambassador – APAC & Middle East, Smixin commented, “In the Middle East, one of the most water scarce regions in the world, reducing water consumption is crucial. We applaud the strategies some governments have already adapted to address this concern, including the adoption of technologies that increase water efficiency. Our systems are designed to significantly contribute to this environmental aim. But as well as focusing on limiting the impact hand washing has on the environment, we are also committed to promoting the importance of hand hygiene and making hand washing – a basic necessity – accessible to as many people, in as many places as possible. We are thrilled to partner with VERTECO to distribute our products in the region and to help us achieve a company goal of saving 10 billion litres of water by the end of 2022.”
David King, Managing Director of VERTECO for the MENA Region said, “We are delighted to offer Smixin products to local businesses and to be a part of a handwashing revolution that has already had a profound effect on sustainability and improving hand hygiene within facilities around the world. Post-COVID we are more aware than ever of the importance of hand washing, and by offering such a simple, yet effective solution that aligns with our sustainably ethos, we hope to contribute to the health and wellbeing of the region’s people.”
With water saving a major challenge for countries around the world, the Smixin handwashing systems have won international acclaim and can be found schools, business offices and well known places such as Shake Shack, McDonalds, KFC, Carnival Cruise Lines, Virgin Cruises and Marriott Hotels
Source cbnme.com
Sustainable agriculture is key to climate change adaptation efforts and sustainable development, reports Ahmed Kotb
The global food system has faced many shocks over recent years, from the Covid-19 pandemic to extreme weather events and conflicts that have led to higher food prices. These are likely to remain high for the foreseeable future, exposing millions of people to food insecurity.
At the same time, unsustainable farming approaches have led to ecosystem vulnerability and competition for land and water resources, putting agricultural growth and food security at risk.
Organic farming can be one of the solutions, as it not only helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate climate change, but can also help increase exports of agricultural products by meeting current international standards.
Experts at the Cairo Climate Talks, organised last week in cooperation between the German Embassy in Cairo, the Egyptian Ministry of Environment, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), discussed adaptation to climate change through sustainable agriculture in Egypt.
They stressed that the COP27 meeting on climate change, which will be organised in Egypt in November, will be a good opportunity to focus on sustainable agricultural practices.
Agriculture contributes about 50 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainable agricultural practices will help to decrease emissions, said Shaimaa Hatab, an associate professor of agriculture at Heliopolis University.
However, she added, initiatives to teach small farmers ways to become more sustainable in their methods are urgently needed.
Changing from conventional to organic agricultural methods is not an easy process, she explained, adding that changing the traditional mindsets and behaviours of farmers could be a challenge because their practices have been taking place for generations.
“We need to work on changing the mindsets of farmers by creating awareness about the challenges and opportunities. We also need to change the mindsets of consumers to see them become more sustainable,” Hatab said. “Awareness and education are very important."
“Organic farming is normally more expensive,” commented Helmi Abul-Eish, CEO of Sekem Egypt, an organic producer, adding that serving the ecosystem and improving livelihoods were main drivers of organic farm owners.
There should be more support for organic farmers and for the ecosystem services they are providing to help in mitigating the effects of climate change, he added.
Abul-Eish said that organic farming has been increasing rapidly in Egypt over the last few years to constitute about 10 per cent of agricultural land. But more is needed through creating awareness among small farmers to ensure better future practices, he added.
“Organic and sustainable farming can enjoy the benefits of improved access to more markets,” noted Myriam Fernando, head of project agriculture innovation at GIZ Egypt.
However, she added that increased consumer knowledge about the importance and benefits of organic crops was needed, as more demand would mean more farmers would be willing to cultivate organic products.
The private sector was key in mobilising resources and expertise, working to channel private investment towards climate-change adaptation efforts, Fernando said, adding that it could also help scale up adaptation practices and create more jobs in the process.
Hussein Abu Bakr, founder and CEO of Mozare3, an agricultural technology startup that aims to digitise the agricultural sector in Egypt and the Middle East, said that climate change was an opportunity for small farmers, as a lot of crops had been introduced to Egypt leading the country to become a food hub for international markets.
“Small farmers are at the heart of the climate change dilemma, as they are part of both the problem and the solution,” he added, explaining that small farmers consume about 79 per cent of Nile water, but can help cultivate high-value crops and grow more wheat to help solve the food crisis and even export to new markets.
Experts participating in the Talks agreed that unsustainable farming methods led to ecosystem weakness and competition for land and water resources in Egypt. Climate change is expected to reduce the productivity of some crops like wheat and maize, because of water scarcity, sea level rises, and salt water intrusion.
Food security is at the heart of Egypt’s 2030 Vision as a national security issue, and the government is working on expanding agricultural land, reducing imports, and increasing climate change adaptation efforts.
The agricultural sector accounts for 28 per cent of all employment in the country and contributes around 11 per cent of Egypt’s GDP. By 2024, Egypt aims to increase agricultural production by 30 per cent.
Source: Ahram Online
