The proposal, which has been discussed intermittently for decades, envisaged tunnelling seawater into the vast below-sea-level basin to create an inland sea and generate hydroelectric power from the resulting flow.
The Qattara Depression (Munkhafad Al-Qattara), which reaches depths of around 133 metres below sea level, has long attracted the attention of planners as a potential site for large-scale energy and development schemes.
However, a ministerial committee established in 2016 to assess development options for the region has now concluded that the seawater project is unviable, according to a cabinet statement released on Tuesday.
The committee examined five scenarios before recommending a “dry” alternative that does not involve flooding the basin.
The cabinet said the decision reflected the government’s “rigorous feasibility testing to ensure economic efficiency and environmental protection.”
The cabinet added that the preferred option avoids significant risks associated with altering the region’s hydrology. Among the concerns raised were the potential seepage of saltwater into underground freshwater reserves, which could threaten wells and groundwater supplies in surrounding areas, and increased soil salinity that could damage agricultural land and farming projects.
The review also highlighted possible ecological impacts on desert habitats, including the Siwa Oasis region, the statement added. It also warned of risks to rare wildlife, wetlands, medicinal plants and migratory bird routes.
According to the committee, the area is home to more than 40 species of wild and medicinal plants, 28 species of rare mammals, and 164 species of birds.
The government additionally highlighted risks to oil and gas exploration activities in the Western Desert, noting that 35 oil production development zones and eight exploration areas overlap with the Qattara region.
The report warned that flooding the depression with seawater could complicate petroleum extraction, force the relocation of pipelines, and discourage future investment.
Officials also pointed to the high financial costs of digging canals to transport seawater inland and the relatively high cost of generating electricity from the proposed water drops compared with alternative energy sources.
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