Inaugural Red Sea Forum for Sustainable Energy and Tourism Concludes, Paving the Way for Green Investments in Egypt
The first edition of the Red Sea Forum for Sustainable Energy and Tourism has successfully concluded its activities. Held under the auspices of the Red Sea Governorate and organized by ECO Solutions, the event witnessed extensive participation from over 50 public and private entities, hotels, and resorts.
Attendees included representatives from the Hurghada Safari Association, the Canal Company for Electricity Distribution, the Red Sea Water and Wastewater Company, the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA), the National Council for Women, the Engineers Syndicate in the Red Sea, various commercial enterprises, financial institutions, media professionals, and industry experts.
The forum centered on mechanisms to support the clean energy transition, enhance integration between the energy and tourism sectors, and align renewable energy projects with sustainable tourism development plans. These discussions are in line with Egypt Vision 2030, the National Sustainable Energy Strategy, and the efforts of the Ministries of Electricity and Tourism to expand environmental sustainability standards within tourist facilities.
Bridging the Gap and Fostering Investments
Eng. Ahmed Dahy, CEO of ECO Solutions, stated that the forum stems from the company's vision to create a first-of-its-kind platform gathering all stakeholders in the Red Sea’s energy and tourism sectors.
"The primary goal is to bridge the coordination gap between these parties and transform dialogue into tangible projects and investment opportunities that drive the transition toward a green economy," Dahy explained in press remarks.
He emphasized that achieving sustainability in tourism increasingly relies on expanding the use of solar energy and energy efficiency solutions. This shift not only reduces operating costs and carbon emissions but also elevates the competitiveness of the Egyptian tourist destination, especially given the Red Sea's status as having one of the highest solar radiation rates globally.
Strategic Partnerships and Technological Showcases
The forum witnessed an agreement to launch a collaboration between ECO Solutions and the Engineers Syndicate in the Red Sea. This partnership aims to introduce specialized training programs in designing, implementing, and operating solar energy systems to prepare highly qualified engineering and technical cadres.
Furthermore, the event featured the participation of GoodWe, a leading global Chinese manufacturer of solar energy components and systems, which showcased the latest technologies in solar energy and energy storage.
Dahy highlighted that ECO Solutions is currently executing a portfolio of solar projects for the tourism and industrial sectors. These include solar-powered seawater desalination projects, EV charging stations, and Guest Room Management Systems (GRMS), all designed to optimize energy consumption and operational efficiency.
Financial Support and Key Recommendations
Highlighting the rapid growth in demand for clean energy, the forum saw active participation from major banking institutions, including Banque Misr, the National Bank of Egypt (NBE), and QNB. These banks showcased dedicated financing programs designed to support renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
On his part, Eng. Ziad El-Sokkari, Board Member at ECO Solutions, noted that the forum reflects the growing cross-sector interest in adopting clean energy. The forum concluded with several strategic recommendations, most notably:
Expanding the deployment of solar energy and energy storage systems within tourist facilities.
Encouraging the implementation of renewable-powered seawater desalination projects.
Supporting the adoption of energy efficiency applications and smart building technologies.
Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to accelerate green projects.
Expanding training and capacity-building programs for engineering and technical professionals.
El-Sokkari concluded by affirming that ECO Solutions will continue to transfer cutting-edge global technologies to the Egyptian market through strategic international partnerships, cementing the Red Sea's position as a pioneering model for clean energy and sustainable tourism in the region.