As regional tensions simmer and an unprecedented heat wave grips the nation, many of Egypt’s leading fertilizer manufacturers temporarily ceased operations due to an acute shortage of natural gas, an interruption critical for electricity generation. Alexandria Fertilizers Company (AlexFert), along with Abu Qir Fertilizers, Misr Fertilizers Production Company (MOPCO), Egyptian Chemical Industries Company (KIMA), and Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals (SIDPEC) halted operations during the last week of June. These closures mark the second instance this month that chemical and fertilizer companies have shut down their plants after the government temporarily reduced gas supplies to these facilities. With the relentless rise in temperatures, there has been a dramatic spike in electricity consumption, with air conditioning units working overtime, as reported by Al Ahram. This surge in demand has placed immense pressure on the country’s gas supplies, crucial for meeting the soaring energy needs. This led to power cuts, much needed to preserve the operational efficiency of the nation’s electricity transmission and natural gas networks. The natural gas shortage is affecting power stations in Egypt, as eight of 11 power stations rely exclusively on natural gas, while slightly more than half employ a…
