Egypt taps China’s Sany for first wind turbine plant to drive African grid

Egypt has entered a major partnership with China’s Sany Renewable Energy to establish its first wind turbine manufacturing plant, a project designed to build a local industrial base for clean energy equipment and provide power to the broader African grid.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly oversaw the signing of the agreement, which links Sany with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company and the New and Renewable Energy Authority. The state aims to cut its reliance on foreign imports by manufacturing components locally, with long-term plans to export surplus equipment to markets across Africa and the Middle East.

Egypt powers green energy independence goal

The planned factory will produce wind turbines with an annual capacity of 2 GW and is scheduled for completion within two years. Built to international standards, the production site will supply a growing pipeline of domestic clean energy projects while creating an export hub.

Alongside the factory, the deal outlines a separate 2,000 MW wind power project that will be implemented and financed using the local currency, the Egyptian pound. Engineers expect to connect this new capacity to the national electricity grid within 23 months of the official signing.

This domestic manufacturing push is central to Egypt’s broader state strategy to build out its electrical equipment supply chain and increase the use of homegrown parts in solar and wind installations. 

The government is currently working toward a strict timeline, targeting a 45 percent share of renewable energy in its national power mix within the next two years. Officials are counting on a combination of wind, solar, and modern energy storage systems to hit that target on schedule.

New factory targets regional utility buyers

During the signing ceremony, Madbouly stated that renewable energy remains a vital piece of the country’s work to diversify its electricity sources, protect energy security, and advance its green transition. He noted that the state is focusing heavily on expanding energy storage systems to maintain grid stability and get the most value out of its renewable infrastructure.

Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat echoed this, saying the deal supports plans to execute large solar and wind developments using the Egyptian pound. Esmat expressed confidence that Egypt’s large domestic market and deep trade links across Africa and the Middle East will give the new factory ample opportunity to serve both local utilities and foreign buyers.