To promote sustainable tourism in the tourism and antiquities sectors, a project is underway to install solar energy systems at three archaeological sites in Cairo — the Nilometer and the Manasterly Palace in Al-Roda and the Museum of Islamic Art in Bab Al-Khalq, reports Nevine El-Aref.
The initiative, carried out in collaboration with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO), aims to reduce reliance on traditional electricity, lower carbon emissions, and enhance the preservation of Egypt’s cultural landmarks.
It aligns with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities strategy to secure the tourism economy by transforming archaeological and touristic sites into eco-friendly destinations. Solar energy is not only a sustainable alternative to regular electricity but is also more cost-effective, supporting Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy 2030.
“This project is part of a broader effort to position Manial Al-Roda as a model for sustainable heritage preservation,” said Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA). He noted that funding for the initiative comes from an ICESCO grant.
“The implementation of solar power plants is part of a plan to further integrate solar energy across all Egyptian World Heritage Sites and museums. The implementation of solar power stations marks a strategic step towards fostering sustainability and green energy practices within Egypt’s rich cultural heritage,” he said.
The SCA’s efforts and commitment to ensuring the sustainability of the archaeological sites and museums under its jurisdiction are shown through the installation of small-scale solar power stations at cultural heritage sites and museums.
“The list of targeted sites for solar energy implementation is divided into two phases, with the first phase including approximately 20 museums and archaeological sites and the second phase comprising a further six museums and sites,” Khaled said.
The ministry has already completed similar installations at the Mohamed Ali Palace in Manial, the Giza Pyramids Visitors’ Centre, the Royal Jewellery Museum in Alexandria, and the Alexandria National Museum. This year, feasibility studies are underway for installing solar energy systems at the Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo.
The Nilometer, one of the world’s oldest hydraulic structures, was built in the ninth century CE to measure Nile flood levels and assess agricultural fertility. Meanwhile, the Manasterly Palace, a distinctive blend of Ottoman and European architectural influences, stands alongside the Um Kolthoum Museum on the Al-Roda Island, with the latter housing the personal belongings of the legendary 20th-century Egyptian singer.
The Museum of Islamic Art is a museum of global significance and boasts an extensive collection of Islamic artefacts from across Egypt, India, China, Andalusia, the Levant, the Arabian Peninsula, and North Africa.
The solar energy initiative marks another step in Egypt’s commitment to green energy, integrating heritage conservation with sustainability to enhance the country’s tourism appeal and environmental responsibility.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 16 January, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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