READER COMMENTS

Egypt did not benefit at all from the electric networks with Jordan, Syria, Libya and the Arab Maghreb. The question that arises now is whether the electricity crisis in Egypt has culminated because of the excessive consumption by the citizens. What is the utility of these electric networks if we cannot benefit them? Why are we thinking about establishing new network links that will cost us more money without finding a radical solution to the problem? What are the existing alternatives to avoid the recurrence of such crisis?

Arab countries could be heading towards the production of renewable energy from its major sources like solar, wind and water, most Arab countries characterized by the availability of these sources, particularly solar energy because Arab countries location near the equator thus making Arab atmosphere sunny most of the year, in contrast most European countries have cloudy atmosphere thus making them less to take advantage of solar energy, Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries should work on investment in this field in order to establish environment-friendly energy sources because it does not produce toxic gases and chemicals that do not break down easily and be persistent and does not dry up, but here it should be noted that such major projects are very expensive and need sums of money to establish and fixed the asset of the project.

Due to the limited capabilities and the size of required capital to implement a large number of production, transport and distribution of electrical energy projects within a limited time, the Kingdom has initiated a program of private sector participation in electricity production projects to encourage private sector to compete in participating in the electric power production projects.

Due to the importance of electric power and its direct impact on all fields of life of countries because of the vital role of energy that influence the development of all sectors and raise the level of service to citizens as it is considered as a necessary civilized way, the State has to provide electricity to various sectors, including the production sector and public utilities. The electricity sector in Saudi Arabia is facing several challenges, most notably the growth of electricity demand by up to 8% per year, placing the Kingdom among the biggest consumer countries of electric power. Also new technology allowed the use of natural gas to generate electricity in Saudi Arabia, and its importance increased after the oil consumption of the Kingdom reached approximately 24% of the total oil output. Therefore, they use central gas turbine engines and combustion engines to generate electricity, where gas is burned directly instead of heating the steam in the turbine to increase the effectiveness of electric power generation, particularly during peak hours for ease and speed of operation of such turbines. Therefore, the work of the electricity sector to face the problem of rapid growth in demand for electrical power and the steady increase in the load as it exceeded expectations, in addition to strong economic growth seen by the Kingdom, which led to increased demand for electric power and thus to the need for the implementation of many projects that require large investments.

The crisis plaguing the country is a real crisis we face as a result of increased loads on utilities. This increase referred to two things. The first is the small number of power plants in Egypt, which does not fit with the innovation that occurs continuously in all fields, such as the increasing number of machines with high consumption rates, along with the different uses by Egyptians of electricity, leading to an increased load on the electricity network. The rate of electricity consumption rises and doubles in the summer,as hundreds of palaces and resorts owned by each of these individual devices are packed with thousands of electric lamps and dazzling illuminations, as well as factory owners and the support they receive for energy and electricity consumption, in addition to high rates of welfare in Egypt, which increase the use of large numbers of modern electrical appliances, which increases with each year. Besides, climatic changes that have appeared in Egypt in recent years prompted the Egyptians to the consumption of heating equipment and air conditioners, as well as inadequate designs in construction of buildings through the connecting of electricity on the basis of its specific and consistent use. But after adding a large number of air-conditioners or any device that depends on the heaters, one of the most consuming electricity devices in addition to elevators cannot bear the cables connected to the buildings that the bulk of the energy you need to stop working and the increase of large population and high population considered the cause of the main reasons for increased loads on the electricity networks in Egypt.

We need the cooperation in the electricity sector only because other sectors in Egypt are somewhat developed including health sector which is advanced especially in oncology and cardiology with all aspects through the famous Egyptian scientist Dr. Magdi Yacoub and his hospital in upper Egypt where doctors exchange knowledge and increase their experiences that could make Egyptian and Arabs do not need to go somewhere else for operation and treatment. Thus the same thing with the rest of the service fields such as communications, facilities and construction; as for the economy, the cooperation among Arab countries in this field is very important because every country spine is this filed so there should be an cooperation among Arab countries thus there will be no famine like Somalia or poverty and common Arab market should be established to support the Arabic productions and to develop it and to grow it economically and to compete he foreign products.

It has become essential that Saudi Arabia become interested in increasing the quantities of the electrical energy production and paying attention to the scientific and technological development in this area so as to provide the Saudi citizen what the daily quantities of energy he needs. Although the Kingdom is one of the leading countries in the production of oil and fuel, she still has some problems in the electric power production due to the increase in the loads in the last decade resulting from frequent foreign delegations and the increasing number of its indigenous population where the Kingdom is one of the most important economic castles in the world. Therefore, it is very necessary for Saudi Arabia to possess an abundance of electrical power so that it could bring in more foreign and local investments, and investors. Also, it can bring more labor that the Kingdom needs so much and we also find that the Kingdom is directly relying on oil for power generation while they neglect solar energy despite the fact that Saudi Arabia owns a very vast desert that is subjected to the sun’s rays for very long periods of time. With very large amounts, it would help them generate a lot of electrical power by solar energy, which would be less costly than using oil in power generation and of the importance of increasing energy production. It will also help increase the comfort of the Saudi citizen, which will bring about the stability of the State in many ways economically and politically. It will also help the citizens to focus on their business and their activities which will improve the overall situation of the State among the different countries of the world.

We find that politics play a significant role in the Egyptian State economy and the export of gas to Israel is one of the most important reasons for Egypt's electricity crisis in the country. We also find that some countries in the world resorted to generating electricity by burning the wastes and taking advantage of the huge thermal energy produced by burning them and converting them using the modern scientific methods into electrical energy. However, we find that the former Egyptian Government, before the glorious revolution of October, was oblivious to all these modern ways as it was deliberately creating this crisis as a type of psychological and economic oppression of Egyptian citizens who have suffered for so long because of this crisis and many more. We also find that this crisis has reached a stage that the government deliberately unplugged the electricity from some provinces in some peak times until they provided electric power and until they relieved the pressure and the excessive loads on generators for the Egyptian State.

There is no doubt that the global electricity crisis has spread and grown to include one of the largest countries in the world that contains a tremendous amount of black gold, which is one of the world's most important energy sources, namely Saudi Arabia, where the importance of electricity is not due to the fact that it is no longer a luxury of the house or a means of entertainment, but rather it has become an essential component of the everyday life for mankind. Everyone knows that the weather and climate throughout Saudi Arabia is warm, making the Saudi citizens in dire need to use all the means to soothe the atmosphere including air conditioners and fans, etc.

We see that some small efforts are made to resolve the problem of energy in some Arab States like exporting electricity and gas from Egypt to occupied Palestine, similar to the oil aid provided by Saudi Arabia for some Arab countries. Therefore, the hope still exists and never disappears. It is likely that the union between the Arabic States will return after the revolutions of the Arab Spring that took place in many Arab States recently which will help in solving the problem of energy as well as many other problems. Thus, it will take the Arabs to the era of power and Arab glory. We call upon Allah that such coordination and cooperation would soon be established to become one single Arab Nation that is able to solve its problems by itself.

All the social categories were affected by the power crisis. Indeed, everyone was affected, but in a different way. Thus, the competent authorities decided to develop quick and effective solutions concerning this problem. For example, the States, in some countries resorted to solar energy in the production of electricity. The solar energy is used as an alternative to oil in order to reduce the costs and to produce electrical energy in large quantities. In fact, they want to meet all the needs of their peoples. There is another solution which could provide a lot of oil to produce large quantities of electricity. Indeed, we could stop exporting oil to foreign countries, especially that the price does not exceed half the cost. Besides, the export comes at the expense of domestic demand.

It is unacceptable to be deprived of any of the favors of modern civilization. For instance, electricity has become a vital need in human life. Therefore, all the competent authorities, either directly or indirectly responsible for electricity, must do something. Indeed, they must resolve the problem whether related to the industry of electricity. In fact, power is vital for both the lighting of the house parts and the energy of the other household devices such as TV sets, computers, and radios. These devices have become essential in every home. Thus, it is quite normal to see a crisis because of the lack of electricity. The latter is a vital source of energy in human life. It is normal to see the situation in the country turn upside down in the absence of electricity. All life aspects are affected.

The KSA has lately resorted to a solution that attracted the entire world's attention for its positive impact on producing electricity in the Kingdom. The solution consisted in relying on solar energy in the production of electricity through importing the specialized equipment and experienced people in this domain and applying them appropriately. This has really had an impact on the production of electricity in the KSA. This solution has come on time since it will preserve the Saudi oil resources from being lost for the sake of producing electricity. In fact, both energies are important and there has been no choice but to find an alternative to the natural gas to produce electricity so as to prevent the imbalance which would have a negative impact on the economic and public life in the KSA.

The coordination between these countries is very important to improve performance and search for means of development to reduce the problem of providing energy in many countries. Exchanging these techniques will help in reducing the problems that they may face in providing the needed energy. Energy is one of the graces that God gives us and all things in our life depend on the presence of energy. Exchanging experiences and finding the proper solutions are the only solutions to get rid of the power problems. There are many countries which have resources, techniques and others, which cannot provide any of these resources because of their poor economy but they have the best personnel, consisting of engineers and technicians who are able to develop this service yet they do not have the chance. There are many countries that are in need of these personnel to manage the techniques they already have. This may contribute to achieving common interests as countries that have the techniques may provide these to the countries that do not have and to hire those personnel who have the ability to manage the techniques so these interests help in serving the two countries in a developing way. The Arab countries should work on developing the networks and personnel that work on maintaining and managing these networks. This cooperation may turn into finding joint projects in order to provide energy with the latest techniques and less resources that characterize many countries which were able to reach the needed cooperation in developing the networks and reducing the consumption of energy. Like any citizen, I hope to see the Arab governments work for their interests

Many cities in Egypt suffer from repeated power outages; there is not a strong powerful infrastructure to accommodate the vast amount of consumption, especially as Egypt has a great number of people who are in need of energy. There are many countries in the regions that electricity has not reached yet, unfortunately. The former governments in Egypt did not work on developing and providing the electrical networks to suburbs in Egypt. There are many houses that cannot be lit until now. Electricity is a necessity of life and no one can live without it. The government should work on several topics in order to provide electricity for the cities and regions that do not have any electrical networks even if they have not developed for a long time which made it use that, which is not to be used and does not provide the required energy for all houses. The government only cares to light the governmental institutes and the houses of statesmen without caring for the people who have the priority to get electricity. The simple people paid for the injustice of the former government because they did not obtain any of the necessities of life. The government should work on providing electricity for the regions and countries that did not get it yet and make a study to provide major networks and generators that will deliver electricity to all the houses. The government should take positive steps to comfort the citizens and provide the essential services they need to live an easy and comfortable life. The new government should work on developing the networks in villages that do not have electricity. Electricity is a necessity in our life and there is nothing in our daily life that works without electricity

The issue of the natural power and energy in general is one of the most prominent industrial and production fields at the level of the state. It is a dream that is contingent upon the dream of the unity and integration of the Arab states. This unity will allow our Arab states to achieve the best and the most important achievements in this field. There is no industrialization in any state that may be free from any intervention or dependence on some form of natural energy or power, whether solar, electric, or petroleum power, that is based on extraction of the oil derivatives. There must be a form of power in any industry to produce its output perfectly. Hence, there is no alternative to the unity of the Arabs to achieve the integrity among their policies in the field of energy and to achieve renaissance in this field at all the levels of the Arab states. This is not impossible!

Indeed, the impressive and beneficial coordination between some Arab states has begun at the level of energy. This group includes Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon. These countries have already started creating coordination between their policies in the field of natural power. This was one of the most important steps in the Arab states in the recent period, because the sector of energy is very important and it is considered a priority compared with the other sectors. Some consideration among the Arab states and giving precedence to the public interests may create an environment of cooperation that would benefit all the great Arab states.

Egypt has recently witnessed problems in some economic sectors and activities after the success of our great revolution, which succeeded in fascinating the whole world, but this is a natural result in any state that witnesses a real and effective revolution. The sector of electricity production in Egypt was one of the sectors that were affected because of the eruption of the revolution. Egypt witnesses a real deficiency in the production of electricity at the national level, which appeared clearly in many situations that need no explanation. These manifestations that prove the deterioration in the production of electricity in Egypt appear in the power outages in some slums and other areas that may last for long hours and cause the stoppage of everyday life at all levels. The lack of electricity production appeared in the inability of the Egyptian Ministry of electricity to export electricity to other states such as Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. Which means that the damages were not limited to Egypt, but they also included the neighboring states that used to get electricity from the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity.

The Arab States should recruit the best engineers and specialists from all the Arab countries to extract the finest energy substances. The experts should reduce the production costs. Indeed, the Arab Governments must seek the greatest benefit with the minimum cost. Therefore, the Arab States should develop their performance, seek to improve production and develop their industries. In fact, the Arab States need such development to keep pace with the global progress. In this respect, the high officials must stand firm in order to ensure a better future for the Arab countries. The Arabs should become real competitors in the international markets. I hope that the Arab countries will cooperate in all fields soon.

The demand on electricity continues to grow in the KSA. This increase will continue to double in the coming years. The Company has said in its statement that what has been carried out in the past in the field of delivering electricity to the villages and remote areas comes thanks to a program which has been set up by the Company to deliver electricity to the villages and the residential gatherings according to the list which is adopted by the concerned authorities. The Company has also declared that it has made quantum leaps in carrying out the program and spent a billion Riyals on spreading electricity to villages and remote areas and that only a few residential areas have been left without electricity and they will be supplied in the coming years. After the study, they added that the project aims to generate a limited amount of electricity in the beginning, especially with the presence of large capacities for the KSA to extend the project so that this country will rank among the developed nations.

As far as I am concerned, the KSA is currently making huge efforts to find alternative and different solutions that would enable the country to generate an amount of electricity power that could meet the growing demand on it. Today, solar energy is considered as a possible solution that could meet the great future forward-looking process of the demand on electricity. In fact, experts expect that this alternative energy is able to generate 5 GW of power at the end of this decade. In this respect, the Saudi Exhibition for Energy provides a strategic gathering to display energy-related key solutions. Indeed, this year’s session represents an important and major event for the parties which are concerned from all the fields that are related to the sector of electricity. This session also aims to establish trade relationships and take advantage of the trade opportunities and the opportunities to enhance sales in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as throughout the Middle East. In addition to that, the Ministry of Electricity in the KSA is looking forward to meeting the growing demand for electricity through solar energy and other non-oil sources as strategic options that aim to enhance the amount of the generated power by one half in the coming years. In this regard, analysts and experts have confirmed that the oil producing countries need to produce more electricity in order to maintain the rate of economic growth in the region. In fact, the search for main alternative sources energy has raised the interest among the economies of the Middle East to find new ways to generate and save energy. This refers to the merit of exporting crude oil to increase the income and to allocate natural gas for petrochemicals manufacturing. Reports and results indicate that…

The Egyptian Government must develop the electricity networks and work on improving the salaries of workers in these sectors and holding the negligent people accountable. This aims to promote the electricity sector and provide citizens with better services. The Government should also work on providing alternative methods to provide more electricity in the future using more developed means in order to face the growing consumption of citizens and to find solutions to save the money which is spent for maintenance every year, especially as this amount exceeds billions of pounds. In fact, this money can be saved and used to provide other services for the citizens. In addition, the Government must work on starting researches to provide permanent electricity services. We must also start researching the possibility of an atomic power-driven electricity generator since it will help the Government to save a lot of money and will contribute to promoting the permanent power supply in the country. In fact, a lot of major industrial countries are relying on this kind of energy despite its large risks. Yet, this kind of energy is really considered as one of the greatest scientific wonders, especially that Egypt was about to establish a project of generating electricity using atomic power plants. Indeed, Egypt possesses a lot of engineers and workers who have the required talent to promote the future of electricity in Egypt.