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Energy Efficiency in Egypt’s Private Sector: Barriers and Drivers

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study provides a stakeholder-based assessment of the drivers, barriers, and strategic priorities shaping energy efficiency (EE) adoption across Egypt’s private sector, focusing on the industry, buildings, and transport sectors. Drawing on 17 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from government, industry, finance, academia, and development organizations, the study identifies the main factors influencing EE implementation. The findings show that sustainability objectives, particularly carbon reduction commitments and compliance with environmental regulations, alongside donor-funded grants and green finance instruments, are the primary drivers of EE uptake. However, progress remains constrained by institutional and financial barriers, including weak enforcement mechanisms, fragmented governance, limited policy coordination, high upfront costs, restricted access to finance, inflexible banking conditions, and the absence of a domestic EE finance market. Technical and awareness-related challenges further hinder implementation. While gender-related barriers were generally perceived as limited, the analysis revealed underlying disparities in women’s leadership and decision-making roles. Financial barriers represented the largest share across all sectors, while institutional barriers ranked second. The absence of enforcement mechanisms was the most significant individual constraint, cited by 13 out of 17 respondents, followed by limited access to finance (10 out of 17) and high upfront costs (9 out of 17). The study highlights the need for stronger regulatory frameworks, clearer institutional mandates, accessible financing mechanisms, and the integration of gender perspectives to accelerate EE adoption and support Egypt’s sustainable energy transition.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su18147499

Authors: El Hussein Essam, Omar Abdelaziz, Mohamed Salaheldin, Samer Atallah

Institutions: American University in Cairo, British University in Egypt

Language: English

Topic: Energy Efficiency and Management

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896