Written by: Islam El-Saqqa
Engineer Khaled Abu Bakr, head of an energy company, called for the establishment of a national energy platform under the umbrella of the state, with the aim of coordinating policies related to this vital sector and developing an integrated strategy to deal with crises and exploit available opportunities, contributing to enhancing energy security and improving resource management efficiency in Egypt.
This came during his participation in the Egyptian Energy Journey session within the activities of the Egypt Forum, in the presence of a number of ministers, officials, and energy sector experts. Abu Bakr emphasized that dealing with global energy market fluctuations requires more than just mitigating the impact of external crises; it includes having the ability to contain their economic repercussions through strong infrastructure, flexible resource management, and building effective partnerships.
Resilience Factors and Infrastructure Development
Abu Bakr explained that Egypt possesses essential ingredients that support its ability to face regional and global challenges, most notably its distinguished geographical location and the Suez Canal, as well as the significant development witnessed in the energy sector infrastructure, including electricity grids, power generation plants, and oil and gas facilities.
He pointed out that the expansion in production plants and the development of the national electricity grid have contributed to building an integrated system for energy supply, stressing the necessity of protecting and securing this infrastructure to ensure the continuity of services, in addition to the importance of effective resource management and achieving a precise balance between supply and demand.
Load Management and Regional Cooperation
The head of the energy company stressed the importance of prior preparation for peak consumption periods and fuel supply shortages, through the implementation of well-thought-out plans for electrical load management and consumption rationalization, and analyzing usage patterns in various commercial, tourism, and service sectors to relieve pressure on the grid.
He also pointed to the importance of strengthening regional cooperation frameworks in the energy sector and investing in available opportunities in neighboring countries such as Libya, which supports common interests and opens broader horizons for Egyptian companies operating in the fields of petroleum and petroleum products.
Institutional Mechanism for Decision Making
Abu Bakr indicated that the proposed national platform could include technical, economic, and civil competencies concerned with the sector, to take on the task of coordinating efforts between various entities, monitoring global developments, providing practical solutions to crises, and drafting a clear strategy for sustainable development.
In conclusion, he praised the infrastructure projects in Egyptian villages as part of the presidential initiative 'Decent Life' (Hayah Karima), confirming the pivotal role of connecting basic utilities and services in improving the standard of living and supporting comprehensive development efforts in rural areas.
