Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy Resources

Energy Resources

A nonrenewable resource is a natural resource that cannot be remade or re-grown

at a scale comparable to its consumption

Nonrenewable Energy Resource

● Types:

o Fossil Fuels: Coal, oil, and natural gas, burned to generate heat or

electricity.

o Nuclear Energy: From nuclear fission of atoms, releasing energy used

to generate electricity.

(Nuclear energy itself is a renewable energy source because in terms

of climate change, nuclear energy production does not release

greenhouse gases, so it is a low-carbon fuel, but the material used in

nuclear power plants is not and the Uranium itself can get depleted.

This is why it is categorized as nonrenewable).

● Advantages:

o High energy density: Provide large amounts of energy in a

concentrated form.

o Reliable: Available on demand, independent of weather conditions.

o Existing infrastructure: Extensive infrastructure already exists for

using these resources.

● Disadvantages:

o Non-renewable: Finite resources that will eventually deplete.

o High pollution: Burning fossil fuels emits greenhouse gases and other

pollutants, contributing to climate change and air quality issues.

o Nuclear safety risks: Potential for accidents, radioactive waste

disposal concerns.

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o Geopolitical concerns: Reliance on fossil fuels can lead to dependence

on specific countries or regions.

Renewable Energy Resources

Renewable resources are natural resources that can be replenished in a short period of time.

● Types:

o Solar Energy: From the sun, harnessed through photovoltaic panels

(converting light to electricity) or concentrated solar power (focusing

sunlight to heat fluids that generate electricity).

o Wind Energy: From wind turbines converting wind movement into

electricity.

o Hydropower: From moving water, using dams and turbines to generate

electricity.

o Geothermal Energy: From Earth's heat, harnessed through steam

vents or underground drilling to generate electricity.

o Biomass Energy: From organic matter (wood, crops, waste), converted

into usable energy through combustion, gasification, or fermentation.

● Advantages:

o Sustainable: Replenished naturally, reducing reliance on finite

resources.

o Environmentally friendly: Low or no greenhouse gas emissions,

reducing pollution and climate change impacts.

o Widely available: Many sources accessible in different geographical

locations.

o Job creation: Potential for new jobs in developing, installing, and

maintaining renewable energy systems.

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● Disadvantages:

o Intermittent: Some resources (wind, solar) are not always available,

requiring backup systems or energy storage.

o High initial cost: Setting up renewable energy infrastructure can be

expensive.

o Location dependence: Some resources (wind, hydro) require specific

geographical features.

o Environmental impact: Large-scale projects can have ecological

impacts (e.g., dams on rivers, wind turbines on bird migration).

Egypt's Energy Resources

Egypt has a diverse mix of energy resources, including both renewable and non-

renewable sources.

The main types of energy resources in Egypt are:

● Fossil fuels: Oil, natural gas, and coal are the mainstays of Egypt's energy

sector. Egypt is the largest producer of oil and gas in North Africa, and

these resources account for about 80% of the country's energy mix.

However, production is declining and Egypt has become a net importer of oil

since 2008.

● Hydropower: The Aswan High Dam on the Nile River is the largest

hydroelectric power station in Africa and generates about 15% of Egypt's

electricity. However, the dam has also had negative environmental impacts,

such as reducing the flow of sediment downstream.

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High Dam in Egypt

● Renewable energy: Egypt has a significant potential for renewable energy,

particularly solar and wind power. The government has set ambitious targets

for renewable energy, aiming to increase its share of the energy mix to 40%

by 2035. However, the development of renewable energy has been slow due

to a number of challenges, including high upfront costs and lack of financing.

● Egypt is a member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

and is committed to promoting the development of renewable energy.

● There is a growing private sector interest in renewable energy in Egypt, and

a number of international companies are investing in renewable energy

projects in the country.

Nuclear Energy in Egypt: Current State and Future Prospects

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Egypt is currently constructing its first nuclear power plant, El Dabaa, located on

the Mediterranean coast. This project involves building four reactors with a total

capacity of 4,800 MW, significantly contributing to Egypt's energy needs.

Construction began in 2022 with Russian funding and technical assistance.

Several factors fuel Egypt's pursuit of nuclear energy:

● Rising demand for electricity with a growing population.

● Depleting fossil fuel reserves: As a major producer of oil and gas, Egypt's

domestic reserves are declining, pushing the country towards imports.

● Reduced carbon footprint: Unlike fossil fuels, nuclear power generates

electricity without greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with global climate

change mitigation efforts.

● Desalination potential: Some nuclear power plants integrate desalination

capabilities, providing access to clean water in water-scarce regions like

Egypt.

● Challenges are mostly related to high cost.

Zohr Natural Gas Field: A Game-changer for Egypt

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The Zohr natural gas field, located in the Shorouk concession 190 km North of

Port Said, has been a significant development for Egypt's energy landscape.

Discovery and Development:

● Discovered in 2015 by Eni (an Italian Company), Zohr is the largest gas field

ever found in the Mediterranean, boasting an estimated 30 trillion cubic

feet of gas.

● The Zohr project involved collaboration between Eni, BP, Rosneft, Mubadala

Petroleum, and the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS).

● The project has received criticism for its potential environmental impact and

impact on local communities.

● Development began in 2016 and involved building platforms, pipelines, and

onshore processing facilities.

● First gas production began in late 2017, gradually increasing to reach a peak

of 2.7 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in 2019.

● Production decline: Recent reports indicate a decline in Zohr's production,

raised concerns about long-term sustainability.

● Economic benefits: Natural gas exports and domestic use contribute to

economic growth and create jobs.

● Industrial development: Availability of affordable gas fuels industrial