Egypt is implementing a coordinated action plan to tighten market controls and enforce energy efficiency standards for electrical appliances and equipment to curb consumption, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat announced.
Esmat stated that generating one new megawatt of power costs five to seven times more than the cost required to save the same capacity through improved efficiency, excluding ongoing operation and maintenance costs. He described improving efficiency and rationalising consumption as a “national necessity and an effective tool to support the national economy.”
The minister’s comments came during a meeting at the ministry’s headquarters in the New Administrative Capital to follow up on the executive status of Prime Minister’s Periodic Book No. 3-10968, issued on April 29, 2026, regarding adherence to approved standard specifications and energy efficiency standards.
The meeting reviewed mechanisms to prevent the circulation of products that do not conform to Egyptian standard specifications or energy efficiency requirements. Officials discussed reviewing current standards for air conditioners, lamps, and lighting fixtures, as well as applying a pre-shipment inspection system.
Further measures include discussing conformity certificates for energy efficiency, obliging suppliers to attach energy efficiency labels, and activating periodic controls on production lines to ensure updated standards are applied. The government will also include energy efficiency conditions within government procurement tender documents and oblige all state entities to review updated specifications when purchasing electricity-consuming devices. A grace period will be granted for entities addressed by the Periodic Book to regularise their status.
Esmat noted that raising energy efficiency is a main pillar of Egypt’s integrated and sustainable energy strategy until 2040, aimed at enhancing energy security, reducing carbon emissions, and achieving sustainable development targets. Work will continue within the framework of programmes designed to ensure compliance with global standards for energy use quality and consumption rationalisation across all sectors.
The minister emphasised the need for integration among state authorities to enforce the control system based on their specific jurisdictions.
The meeting was attended by Gaber Desouky, Chairperson of the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company; Ahmed Mahina, Head of the Strategic Planning and Performance Monitoring Sector at the Ministry; Khaled Soufi, Chairperson of the Egyptian General Authority for Standards and Quality; Essam El-Naggar, Chairperson of the General Organization for Export and Import Control; Ibrahim El-Seginy, Head of the Consumer Protection Agency; and Ihab Amin, Head of the Industrial Control Authority.
Representatives were also present from the ministries of industry, interior, local development and environment, finance, supply and internal trade, and investment and foreign trade, alongside officials from the General Federation of Chambers of Commerce, the Chamber of Engineering Industries at the Federation of Industries, and the Customs Authority.
