The North African state of Egypt is the second most industrilised economy in the
African continent. Egypt is a significant oil and natural gas producer producing an average
of about 620,000 barrels per day (bbl/d) of crude oil in 2003. Egypt had installed
generating capacity of 17.7 GW (Gigawatts) as of 2001, with plans to add 4.5 GW of
additional generating capacity by 2007. Around 84% of Egypt’s electric generating
capacity is thermal (fired by natural gas), with the remaining 16% hydroelectric, mostly
from the Aswan High Dam [17]. In the area of renewable energy development, Egyptian
government in 1986 established the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA)
whose mandate was to develop and diffuse the application of solar (thermal and
photovoltaic), wind and biomass energy technology in the Egyptian economy. NREA has
targeted a 3% of total electricity generation from solar and wind by 2010 [18]. They also
have several laboratories for testing and certification. In addition, NREA carries out
training programs for both public and private sectors.