Governance and Institutional Structure of Climate Change in Egypt
51
projects and 20 years for wind. These FiTs differentiate between project types and
sizes. For solar projects, the FiT varies between USD 0.136 and USD 0.1434 for
projects of 500 kW–20 MW and 20–50 MW, respectively. For wind projects, the FiT
varies between USD 0.0957 and USD 0.1148 during the first five years of operation
and then between USD 0.0460 and USD 0.1148 for the remaining 15 [7].
Another development in the private sector is commencement of public–private
partnership (PPAs) with mostly large consumers who are being granted access to the
grid. For example, the Presidential Decree No. 17/2015 (which amended Investment
Law No. 8/1997) focuses on attracting energy investments in Egypt. This includes
renewable energy, which is important since Egypt aims to produce 20% of electricity
from renewable sources by 2020. The government is doing this by providing tax
incentives through the Decree [7]. These include (1) reducing sales tax from 10 to
5%, and (2) setting low customs duties (around 2%) on equipment used for energy
production. Additional non-tax incentives offered to energy producers include (1)
refunding the expenses paid to extend infrastructure facilities to the project’s land
(e.g. grid connection), (2) subsidising training programs and social insurance for
employees and (3) allocating government-owned land at discounted prices or free of
charge [7].
In addition to these incentives, Egypt has made an important step towards achieving sustainable development by developing the “Sustainable Development Strategy:
Egypt’s Vision 2030” that serves as a roadmap for the country to achieve its desired
sustainable development goals during the next 13 years. This strategy promotes the
optimum use of available resources, enhancement of Egypt’s competitiveness and
revival of its historic leading role in the region. Moreover, such a strategy aims to
fulfil the aspirations of the Egyptian people regarding their right to a decent standard
of living. The goals outlined in the strategy are in line with the globally sustainable
development goals (SDGs).
Finally, Egypt developed the “Egypt’s National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate
Change and Disaster Risk Reduction” in 2011. The objective of the strategy is to
increase the resilience of Egyptian communities and build their capacity to address
the risks and disasters resulting from climate change and its impact on various sectors
and activities. These are notable steps, but to achieve the strategy, some important
elements need to be present, including the political will to enforce, the provision of
human, financial and natural resources, the reform and amendments of institutional
frameworks, the amendment of legislation and laws, and lastly the strengthening of
the national system of information dissemination.
4 Role of Civil Society Organizations and Private Sector
Egypt’s National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change and Disaster Risk
Reduction that was issued in 2011 emphasises the role of civil society organizations
and community participation in developing, managing, monitoring, and evaluating
climate change adaptation programmes and projects in close contact with the local
51
projects and 20 years for wind. These FiTs differentiate between project types and
sizes. For solar projects, the FiT varies between USD 0.136 and USD 0.1434 for
projects of 500 kW–20 MW and 20–50 MW, respectively. For wind projects, the FiT
varies between USD 0.0957 and USD 0.1148 during the first five years of operation
and then between USD 0.0460 and USD 0.1148 for the remaining 15 [7].
Another development in the private sector is commencement of public–private
partnership (PPAs) with mostly large consumers who are being granted access to the
grid. For example, the Presidential Decree No. 17/2015 (which amended Investment
Law No. 8/1997) focuses on attracting energy investments in Egypt. This includes
renewable energy, which is important since Egypt aims to produce 20% of electricity
from renewable sources by 2020. The government is doing this by providing tax
incentives through the Decree [7]. These include (1) reducing sales tax from 10 to
5%, and (2) setting low customs duties (around 2%) on equipment used for energy
production. Additional non-tax incentives offered to energy producers include (1)
refunding the expenses paid to extend infrastructure facilities to the project’s land
(e.g. grid connection), (2) subsidising training programs and social insurance for
employees and (3) allocating government-owned land at discounted prices or free of
charge [7].
In addition to these incentives, Egypt has made an important step towards achieving sustainable development by developing the “Sustainable Development Strategy:
Egypt’s Vision 2030” that serves as a roadmap for the country to achieve its desired
sustainable development goals during the next 13 years. This strategy promotes the
optimum use of available resources, enhancement of Egypt’s competitiveness and
revival of its historic leading role in the region. Moreover, such a strategy aims to
fulfil the aspirations of the Egyptian people regarding their right to a decent standard
of living. The goals outlined in the strategy are in line with the globally sustainable
development goals (SDGs).
Finally, Egypt developed the “Egypt’s National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate
Change and Disaster Risk Reduction” in 2011. The objective of the strategy is to
increase the resilience of Egyptian communities and build their capacity to address
the risks and disasters resulting from climate change and its impact on various sectors
and activities. These are notable steps, but to achieve the strategy, some important
elements need to be present, including the political will to enforce, the provision of
human, financial and natural resources, the reform and amendments of institutional
frameworks, the amendment of legislation and laws, and lastly the strengthening of
the national system of information dissemination.
4 Role of Civil Society Organizations and Private Sector
Egypt’s National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change and Disaster Risk
Reduction that was issued in 2011 emphasises the role of civil society organizations
and community participation in developing, managing, monitoring, and evaluating
climate change adaptation programmes and projects in close contact with the local