China's solar products, technology fuel Egypt's renewable energy ambitions: senior executive

China plays a crucial role in Egypt's renewable energy ambitions, said Ghada al-Gendy, executive director of Egypt's Arab Company for Renewable Energy, which owns one of the first Egyptian factories that manufactures solar panels.

"Our reliance on Chinese materials is fundamental to our success," explained al-Gendy. "China is the undisputed global leader in solar technology, and their materials offer a combination of quality and affordability that is unmatched."

She revealed that her factory had explored other options. "Egypt's solar sector is still developing, meaning the domestic supply chain for high-quality components is limited, and prices for locally-sourced materials are often higher than those from China," she told Xinhua.

"We are committed to providing the best possible product, and that means using the best available materials ... Their (Chinese companies) expertise, their manufacturing capacity, and their competitive pricing make them the logical choice," al-Gendy said.

The factory's reliance on China extends beyond raw materials, al-Gendy said, adding that its production lines are also heavily influenced by Chinese technology.

"We recently acquired a new production line from China, a state-of-the-art system that will boost our production capacity significantly. Our existing Italian line produces 52 megawatts annually, but this new Chinese line will produce a remarkable 1 gigawatt. That's a game-changer for us, and it positions us to play a much larger role in Egypt's renewable energy future," she revealed.

This expansion is driven by Egypt's ambitious renewable energy targets, she said, pointing out that Egypt has committed to generating up to 40 gigawatts of renewable energy in the coming years.

"We are determined to contribute to that goal. That's why we are not just adding one new Chinese production line, we are already considering a third. We need to scale up quickly to meet the growing demand for solar panels," al-Gendy said.

The partnership with Chinese companies goes beyond simply importing materials and equipment.

Al-Gendy added her company seeks to partner with Chinese companies to manufacture their products in Egypt, to leverage the local expertise and infrastructure.

"This would be a win-win situation. It would allow Chinese companies to expand their reach into the Egyptian market and beyond, while also boosting our local economy and creating jobs," she said.

She added that Egypt's strategic location plays a crucial role in these partnerships, noting that Egypt is ideally situated to serve as a hub for exporting solar products to Europe, Africa, and the wider region.

"We have strong economic ties with these regions, and our geographical position makes us a natural gateway. This is a major advantage for our Chinese partners, giving them access to new markets and facilitating their global expansion," al-Gendy said.

Noting the company has achieved success in many projects, including the installation of solar power plants on building rooftops, with a combined capacity of approximately 16 to 18 megawatts, as well as the Grand Egyptian Museum project, al-Gendy said the company's reach extended beyond Egypt's borders.

"We are committed to playing a leading role in Egypt's transition to renewable energy, and our partnership with Chinese companies is a key part of that strategy," al-Gendy noted.