China’s Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC) plans to invest $1bn in Egypt over the next five years in key sectors such as water desalination, renewable energy generation, and energy storage, Al Ahram reported on September 1. 

The news followed a meeting between Egyptian PM Mustafa Madbouly and CEEC chairman and CEO Ni Chen during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Plus summit in Tianjin.

The initiative aligns with Egypt’s broader strategy to enhance renewable energy capacity, ensure water security, and attract foreign investment in critical infrastructure.

Madbouly said his government is ready to assist CEEC in localising renewable energy components, Al Ahram noted. 

Annual domestic demand in Egypt stands between 5GW–6GW, and the country has potential for energy exports to Europe. Madbouly added that the government can provide incentives and regulatory support to facilitate the implementation of CEEC’s projects.

Ni Chen told the paper that the company intends to start with seawater desalination projects and aims to make Egypt its regional hub.

Since beginning operations in Egypt in 2009, CEEC has completed 14 projects and recently moved its regional headquarters to Cairo. The company is also in discussions with Egypt’s Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy to explore joint projects in power generation and localise related technologies within the country, he explained

Egypt aims to generate 42% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and is also focusing on energy storage, according to Asharq.

In addition, the media outlet previously said the government targets producing 10mn cubic metres of desalinated water daily over the next five years, up from the current 1.4mn cubic metres, with a long-term goal of 30mn cubic metres per day. 

CEEC is a state-owned Chinese company specialising in power generation, renewable energy, energy infrastructure, and water treatment projects. It operates both in China and internationally, often partnering with governments to deliver large-scale energy and desalination projects, according to the company’s website. 

The 10-member SCO, originally seen as "a foil to US influence in Central Asia", as described by the Associated Press this week, was founded in 2001. Full members include Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.