Fatshimetrie recently highlighted the initiative of Mohamed Eissa, among many farmers in Egypt who have recently adopted biogas production units. These units, set up by a Cairo-based bioenergy company, transform manure into cooking fuel and organic fertilizer.
This innovation has allowed the 43-year-old farmer, who lives in the southern province of Beni Suef, to significantly reduce his living costs. “The biogas unit benefits us both inside the house and in the fields. It has reduced our consumption of butane gas cylinders. I used to buy four cylinders per month, each for 170 Egyptian pounds (3.3 US dollars). Now, I only buy one per month. So, the unit saves me about 500 Egyptian pounds per month (9.8 US dollars).” In addition, the unit provides me with organic fertilizers that I use in the fields to feed my potato crops,” Eissa explains.
Interest in using biogas as a clean alternative to fossil fuels is growing. However, experts say Egypt has yet to fully exploit its potential in this area.
Ahmed Medhat, former executive director of the Egyptian Bioenergy Association for Sustainable Development, says: “So far, we have no more than 5,000 domestic biogas units, which is only half a percent of Egypt’s potential.”
“There are many reasons for this, including lack of funding. We also need a comprehensive system to raise awareness about the importance of biogas units and how they contribute to solving Egypt’s energy problems,” Medhat adds.
The International Energy Agency has predicted a 32% increase in biogas production between 2023 and 2028. This figure highlights the potential that biogas represents for Egypt’s energy future and its contribution to a sustainable agricultural model.