Relief is on the horizon for Egyptians suffering through summer heatwaves.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced on Wednesday that the country will halt load-shedding power cuts starting this Sunday, July 21st.
This move comes after receiving crucial natural gas shipments to address a nationwide energy shortage.
The power crisis has been a major inconvenience for Egypt’s 106 million citizens.
Soaring summer temperatures have driven up electricity consumption, exceeding 37 gigawatts – a 12% increase compared to last year.
Since Egypt relies heavily on natural gas for power generation, the strain on the grid necessitated rotating blackouts to prevent system failure.
“As of Sunday, July 21st, we will stop the load-shedding plan nationwide during the summer period,” declared Madbouly in a televised press conference.
This announcement follows the arrival of five liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes, part of a larger 21-cargo contract.
The government estimates that an additional $1.18 billion investment in natural gas and mazut fuel oil is needed to completely eliminate the power cuts.
This marks a significant shift for Egypt, which hasn’t imported LNG since 2018.
The country’s growing population and expanding urban centers have steadily increased power demands, outpacing current natural gas supplies.
While the immediate crisis appears to be under control, the government acknowledges the need for long-term solutions.
Prime Minister Madbouly emphasized plans to invest in renewable energy sources to address future summer energy demands, with a focus on implementation in 2025.
