Walking through the streets of Cairo at night, one can only marvel at the beauty of this bright and lively city. So bright that it requires levels of energy that often exceed the capacity of what can be generated.
Being among the most sunlight-sufficient places on earth with an estimated annual 2,400 hours of solar operation, compared with maximum European figures of 1,900 in Spain and Greece, it’s only appropriate that Egypt starts experiencing the endless possibilities solar energy has to offer.
Harnessing the power of the sun is exactly what Asma Rady set out to do, following in the footsteps of her ancestors. That journey led her to pursue her studies at the University of Exeter (UK). She was a PhD researcher funded by the Newton-Mosharafa Fund delivered by the British Council in high-concentrating photovoltaics.
Back in Egypt, Asmaa is now a lecturer on Renewable Energy at Port Said University and an active part of the UK-Egypt Higher Education Climate Change Partnerships supported by the British Council in partnership with the University of Strathclyde and Port Said University. The project explores how Egyptian Offshore Wind can Produce Green Hydrogen to Mitigate the Effects of Climate Change.
Egypt is blessed with abundant solar energy. Moreover, it is blessed with brilliant minds such as Asmaa that embody the role women can play in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). As forward-thinking disruptive innovators that are not only making a difference in Egypt but shining brightly with creative solutions for climate mitigation all across the globe.
The future belongs to those who believe in their dreams, so dream BIG.