Electricity and Renewable Energy Minister Mahmoud Esmat stressed the importance of the data center industry as a strategic sector driven by the rapid growth of cloud computing, artificial intelligence applications, and digital services. He made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation from Heka Data and a US alliance of data center developers, headed by Heka Data Chairman Ahmed El-Hefny, at the Ministry’s headquarters in the New Capital.
The meeting discussed mechanisms for providing the electricity needed to establish a global data center project, as well as ways to support and develop the industry, given Egypt’s attractive market, strategic geographic location, advanced fiber-optic infrastructure, and regional and international connectivity.
Esmat reviewed the company’s work plan and overall vision for the data center project and its potential contribution to the data center, cloud computing, and AI sectors. The meeting also addressed attracting foreign direct investment and global technology companies, while leveraging Egypt’s competitive advantages in electricity, telecommunications, and infrastructure.
It further discussed supplying the project with reliable electricity, relying on renewable and clean energy sources, and taking the necessary measures to ensure a safe, stable, and sustainable power supply. The participants also reviewed various mechanisms, systems, and alternatives to support the data center industry and establish the project, including regulatory, legal, technical, and investment frameworks, in line with the national energy strategy.
The meeting also touched on the project’s role in the digital transformation of the public and private sectors and its impact on improving service efficiency, promoting digital solutions, and supporting innovation and entrepreneurship within a framework of good governance and enhanced service delivery.
The Electricity Minister said the power sector, under the national energy strategy and its increased reliance on renewable energy, is working within the state’s sustainable development plan to meet the requirements of comprehensive development. He added that the data center industry is part of Egypt’s digital strategy, aimed at improving service quality and enhancing the institutional efficiency of both the public and private sectors.
He noted that the industry’s success depends on advanced infrastructure backed by stable and sustainable power capacity, an area in which Egypt stands out regionally. The Visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Egypt