Egypt's energy balance map: a geographical perspective

• Published in: Scottish geographical journal Vol. 139; no. 3-4; pp. 488 - 510
• Main Author: Hashim, Mostafa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 02.10.2023; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Alternative energy sources; Clean energy; Clean technology; Egypt; energy balance; Energy consumption; Energy resources; Energy sources; Fossil fuels; Fuel consumption; Geographic information systems; Green hydrogen; Hydrogen; Potential energy; Renewable energy; Renewable resources; Trilemma Energy Index; wind and solar atlases of Egypt; Wind power; Egypt
• ISSN: 1470-2541; 1751-665X
• DOI: 10.1080/14702541.2023.2212654

This study aims to determine Egypt's potential for energy sources, and the volume of potential energy production and consumption, balancing inputs, outputs and availability of energy. The study depends on analyzing the map of Egypt's energy balance of non-renewable and renewable energy, including oil, gas, solar, and wind energy, using UN-Energy Balance of Egypt data and the global solar and wind atlases of Egypt. It demonstrates that in 2020 Egypt's production of fossil fuels is 89.03% of the total energy production, while renewable energy production is only 10.97%. More specifically, fossil fuel consumption is 97.8% of the total consumed energy, while energy consumption from renewable sources is 2.2%. Therefore, this study recommends that further studies should be conducted to explore 'hybrid' energy sources to solve Egypt's energy crisis and to preserve the environment through clean energy sources, such as using green hydrogen and working on reducing emissions from fossil fuels. It is also recommended that there is value in employing GIS and RS applications to estimate the potential of renewable energy across the map of Egypt, and to present this information to possible investors who could expand the development of clean energy sources.