The tilapia aquaculture sector in Egypt has significantly contributed to nutrition and economic activity, yet it faces challenges, particularly from climate change. In response, WorldFish and the Royal Norwegian Embassy launched the Center for Renewable Energy in Aquaculture (CeREA) project in June 2023 to explore renewable energy solutions over four years. A scoping study revealed that most fish farms rely on diesel pumps and lack grid connections, with minimal investment in permanent infrastructure due to short lease terms. While farmers recognize the cost-saving potential of renewable energy, they are deterred by installation costs and prefer transportable systems. Renewable energy providers are eager to assist but need better insights into aquaculture needs, with solar power being the most common technology used. Other renewable options like biogas and wind require further research, and financing avenues exist through banks, microfinance, and NGOs.
The rapid growth of the tilapia aquaculture sector in Egypt over recent decades has provided an important source of nutrition, income and economic activity for fish farms, feed mills and communities. However, this important industry faces a number of threats, including those caused by climate change.
In June 2023, WorldFish partnered with the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Cairo to establish the Center for Renewable Energy in Aquaculture (CeREA) project to refine, test and scale innovative renewable energy solutions over a 4-year period. The project commissioned a baseline scoping study to identify critical factors, map key stakeholders and recommend opportunities for adoption of technologies.
The study carried out field data collection by interviewing fish farmers, retailers, feed companies and other important stakeholders, such as renewable energy technology companies. Field data was compiled and analyzed along with the results from focus group discussions and key informant interviews (KIIs).
The scoping study highlighted that very few fish farms currently make use of renewable energy technologies. Most depend on diesel-powered pumps to move water through their ponds, and many are not connected to the electricity grid. There has been little capital investment in Egyptian fish farm zones, as land has usually been leased for short time periods and farmers are discouraged from building permanent structures. Farmers generally understand the potential for renewable energy to reduce their operating costs
but are worried about the installation costs for renewable energy systems. Short lease periods also mean that that they would prefer transportable systems that could be moved to a new site, if required.
Service providers of renewable energy solutions are keen to provide appropriate technologies but they lack basic information about the aquaculture business. Their most widely applied system for agriculture in Egypt is solar power for pumping water. Other technologies such as biogas, wind turbines and hydrogen would need more research. Finance could be provided for green technologies through existing banks and microfinance institutions, while NGOs could also play a role.
Source : Baioumi A, Dickson M, Nasr-Allah AM and Fathi ME. Innovative renewable energy solutions for the sustainability of Egypt’s aquaculture. Penang, Malaysia: WorldFish. Working paper: 2024-86.
