In Egypt, the Association for Sustainable Bioenergy Development, which operates under the Environment Ministry, signed a cooperation agreement with oil and gas group Eni. This partnership aims to monetise agricultural waste by converting it into bioenergy.
The Italian company stated in a website press release that the partnership involves jointly conducting a feasibility study. This study will assess the construction of a biodigestion plant capable of processing agricultural and animal waste, particularly from livestock, for biogas production.
Authorities confirm that the resulting biogas can generate renewable electricity and heat. Furthermore, the process produces organic fertilisers for agriculture, thereby supporting the circular economy.
The joint statement clarified the strategic rationale: “The agreement supports the deployment of biogas technology across Egypt’s governorates and the development of innovative and sustainable energy solutions that reduce emissions and promote sustainable development. It also aligns with Eni’s long-term strategy to reach carbon neutrality by 2050,” the statement said.
Should the announced feasibility study conclude successfully, the initiative will offer a dual benefit: it provides a new alternative contributing to the energy transition and delivers a solution addressing the challenges that greenhouse gas emissions pose to the sustainability of agri-food systems.
Data compiled by the OECD show that livestock farming, especially ruminants, accounts for over half of agricultural sector greenhouse gas emissions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Consequently, the total number of cattle heads in Egypt increased by 7.3%, reaching 7.5 million in 2021, according to figures from the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS).
