In response to rumors circulating social media, the cabinet’s media center revealed that Egypt's 32 solar power plants produced around 4,500 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2021 as part of Egypt’s efforts to transition to greener energy sources.

The center released the information to disseminate false information that claimed that Egypt’s solar power plants had ceased operation after the recent cold weather.

The data includes panels on buildings' roofs and a plant with a capacity of 26 megawatts belonging to the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA).

Egypt aims to generate 42% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030, the statement said, adding that Egypt's production of hydropower amounted to 14,000 GWh in 2021.

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Wind turbines and power projects produced about 5,400 GWh, while 86 GWh was generated from bio-fuel projects, the statement added.

Egypt’s Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy stated that all the solar power plants in Egypt operate at full capacity across various temperatures throughout the year, the statement said.

Egypt’s solar power plants are situated at sites characterized by the strength of solar brightness throughout the year and are not associated with a specific season, the cabinet's media center pointed out.

Egypt has implemented multiple renewable energy projects over the past decade, including the Benban Solar Park in Upper Egypt's Aswan, which houses more than 32 solar energy projects from photovoltaic cells with a total capacity of about 1,465 megawatts.

The energy sector represents about 13.1 per cent of Egypt’s GDP, according to government data.