The Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), promoted by the G7, is advancing sustainable and high-quality infrastructure investments around the world. One such project has seen Japanese expertise used for wind farms in Egypt, helping to supply the country with clean and affordable renewable energy.
The wind farm in Egypt, built by Eurus Energy Holdings and others. The first project installed 125 turbines in a region of the Gulf of Suez known for its advantageous wind conditions, contributing to the expansion of renewable energy in Egypt. EURUS ENERGY HOLDINGS CORPORATION
Momentum for introducing renewable energy has been increasing in the face of global warming. Even Egypt—traditionally reliant on thermal power—has set a strong target to generate 42% of its total electricity from renewable sources by 2035. In that endeavor, Japan’s advanced expertise, which efficiently harnesses wind to produce stable and cost-effective renewable energy, along with its comprehensive experience in developing, constructing, and operating wind power plants, is making significant contributions to Egypt’s introduction and expansion of renewable energies.
Eurus Energy Holdings Corporation, a subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho Corporation, has been expanding its global wind power generation business since launching its first project in the United States in the 1980s, and is a major contributor to Egypt’s supply of renewable energy. Together with its parent Toyota Tsusho—which has built a close relationship with Egypt through various businesses since it started cotton trade with the country in 1922—and companies from France and Egypt, Eurus Energy Holdings has received contracts for two projects to build, own, and operate wind farms in the Gulf of El Zayt area along the Gulf of Suez, maintaining their operation and selling electricity as an independent power producer (IPP) for 20 to 25 years after completion.
The first project, which became Egypt’s first-ever wind power IPP project, began commercial operation in October 2019, at a total project cost of approximately 400 million dollars. It covers the annual electricity demand of approximately 1.5 million households in Egypt. Meanwhile, the second project, whose total project cost has risen to 660 million dollars, started construction in March 2023 and aims to begin commercial operation in August 2025. Upon completion, it is expected to cover the annual electricity demand of an additional 2.7 million households. Both projects have received funding from such institutions as the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).
Both projects are part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) espoused by the G7. The PGII was set up in 2022 as a new framework to promote sustainable and high-quality infrastructure investments in collaboration with private financial institutions as well as public funds, with the aim of contributing to the sustainable development of various countries. The G7 has set a target of mobilizing up to 600 billion dollars by 2027, and Japan is also promoting projects in various regions to mobilize more than 65 billion dollars in infrastructure support and private funds.
SUGANUMA Yuri, assistant manager of Overseas Business Development Department at Eurus Energy Holdings, participated in the finance and construction management of the wind power plants in Egypt. She spoke about the importance of “reading the wind.”
According to SUGANUMA Yuri, assistant manager of Overseas Business Development Department at Eurus Energy Holdings—the department responsible for financing and managing construction of wind power projects in Egypt—the key to success lies in the ability to “read the wind,” so to speak. She said, “The Gulf of El Zayt area along the Gulf of Suez coast is known for its advantageous wind conditions, making competition to win the projects there fierce. Our success in winning the projects was probably down to the technical capabilities that we have developed over more than 30 years of developing and operating wind farms worldwide.”
Even in areas with favorable wind conditions, poor placement of turbines can prevent effective wind capture, compromising power generation. Suganuma said, “Eurus Energy Holdings has formed a specialist team to assess wind conditions based on extensive experience in various countries and terrains. We excel in wind analysis and turbine placement, which are crucial for optimization of wind power generation.”
Suganuma (right) managing the progress at the construction site of the wind farm in Egypt, built by Eurus Energy Holdings and others. EURUS ENERGY HOLDINGS
Suganuma made numerous visits to Egypt and actively communicated with multinational stakeholders. Reflecting on the project, which created employment for approximately 1,000 locals, she shared her thoughts: “I want to continue to harness various experiences, just like currents or winds, to generate more renewable energy in other countries as well as Egypt and support people’s lives in the same way that this project has done.”
