Wednesday October 16, 2024
Djibouti’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Yonis Ali Guled, and Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mahmoud Essmat, shake hands during the official signing ceremony of a landmark agreement to build a 276.5-kilowatt solar power plant in Djibouti.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Djibouti and Egypt have signed a landmark agreement to build a 276.5-kilowatt solar power plant in Djibouti. The deal, signed during a virtual meeting, is expected to boost Djibouti’s energy independence while deepening ties between the two countries.
Egyptian Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Essmat and Djibouti’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Yonis Ali Guled, signed the agreement during a formal ceremony in Egypt on Wednesday.
The solar plant in Djibouti’s capital will be fully financed and constructed by Egypt.
“This agreement is a major milestone in strengthening our collaboration,” Essmat said, adding that Egypt remains dedicated to supporting Djibouti’s energy and development goals.
Minister Guled hailed the partnership, stressing the solar power plant’s potential to enhance Djibouti’s infrastructure, particularly in the education and healthcare sectors. He also pointed out the economic and trade benefits the project will bring to the region.
The agreement follows a successful training program funded by Egypt for Djibouti’s energy sector staff.
The solar project builds on Djibouti’s ongoing efforts to transition to sustainable energy sources. In 2022, Djibouti inaugurated its first wind power project, a historic step toward renewable energy independence. By continuing to diversify its energy sources, projects like this solar plant will help Djibouti reduce its reliance on electricity imports from Ethiopia, bringing the nation closer to energy self-sufficiency.
Djibouti has set an ambitious target to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2035. “We are confident in our ability to produce energy domestically,” Guled said during the ceremony. “This project is an important step in realizing that vision.”