The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has unveiled plans to disburse $300 million to the Egyptian ministry of electricity to support the creation of a new electricity network.

Egypt has been facing periodic fuel and diesel shortages for the past year, affecting electricity supplies nationwide.

The agency is also preparing to offer the Egyptian government a $100 million loan to promote sustainable energy projects. These include the development of low-voltage solar cells technology, according to JICA’s Cairo office chief representative, Hideki Matsunaga.

Matsunga assumed his position in Egypt in April 2012, with a mission for the agency to be part of nation-building efforts in the post-revolutionary context.  

Another loan of almost $50 million will be channeled to the Egyptian government to sponsor the renovation of the Dairut aqueduct station.

JICA’s plan is unexpected, as most of the agency’s projects and activities have been reduced, postponed or halted since the destructive earthquake that hit Japan last year.

The agency has been involved in several key projects in Egypt in recent years, including the construction of the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-Just) and the Grand Egyptian Museum Conservation Centre Project (GEM).