Egyptian Fertilizer Company Transitions to Hydrogen Amid Gas Shortage
As one of Egypt’s largest fertilizer companies faces a severe natural gas shortage, Abu Qir Fertilizers will partially switch to hydrogen supplies. Along with Mopco, Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals, and KIMA, Abu Qir halted production due to gas shortages leading to widespread blackouts. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has allocated over one billion dollars to import enough gas and mazut fuel oil this summer to address the crisis.
Abu Qir Fertilizers, one of Egypt's largest fertilizer companies, announced a partial switch to hydrogen supplies due to a severe natural gas shortage in the country.
This shortage has led to widespread blackouts across Egypt.
Joining Abu Qir in this transition are other notable companies in the fertilizer and chemical sectors, including Mopco, Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals, and KIMA.
These companies temporarily halted production earlier this month when the government reduced gas supplies to plants.
Regular blackout frequency has worsened due to increased summer power consumption and the gas shortage.
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly indicated that these issues are exacerbated by a halted gas production in a neighboring country, likely referring to Israel, and by pressures on dollar resources.
In a bid to alleviate the crisis, Egypt has allocated over one billion dollars to import gas and mazut fuel oil this summer.
On June 26, 2024, Egypt awarded a tender to purchase 17 cargoes of liquefied natural gas and is seeking three more.
Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals reported on June 27 that gas supply had resumed, with plans to restart its plants.