Solar energy from the Sahara to power European homes

The European grid will be supplied with 3 GW of electricity from the Sahara dessert in Egypt. The electricity will be transported utilizing the 'GREGY Interconnection' cable that will extend from Sidi Barrani in the east of Egypt to Attica in Greece, spanning 1,373 kilometres. The electricity will be transferred to Europe via a massive undersea electricity cable and the project is estimated to cost €3.5 billion. The power to be exported will be generated in solar and wind farms in Egypt and other African nations and will service shared systems in Bulgaria, Greece and Italy.

The project is being carried out by the Copelouzos Group, whose management recently met with the Egyptian authorities in an effort to expedite the undertaking. The initiative is planned to help Europe wean itself off Russia's fossil fuels and natural gas by supplying Europe with 3 GW of renewable energy through Greece. In addition, the renewable energy to be generated will be more affordable compared to current energy pricing in Europe.

About one-third of the electricity that will be imported from Egypt will be consumed in Greece, primarily in Greek industries, another third will be exported to neighbouring European countries, and one-third will be used in Greece to produce green hydrogen. The bulk of this hydrogen will also be transported to neighboring European nations", noted Ioannis Karydas, the CEO of Renewables for Copelouzos Group.

The project is expected to be completed before the end of the decade. The project is expected to consolidate Egypt's position as a regional hub for the trade of all forms of energy.