On Karaman Island in Sohag, southern Egypt, photovoltaic (PV) panels line the rooftops of the PV Research and Development Base operated by Egypt’s Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT). The panels capture solar radiation and convert it into clean electricity.

The facility forms part of the China-Egypt Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Renewable Energy, which has played a central role in strengthening Egypt’s domestic solar technology capabilities. Mohamed Zahran, an ASRT professor, highlighted several important milestones achieved through the laboratory, describing them as significant national “firsts.”

In October 2023, Egypt successfully produced its first domestically manufactured half-cut solar cell. The following month, the country achieved another milestone by producing its first locally manufactured high-efficiency half-cell solar module.

Zahran explained that the joint laboratory was instrumental in enabling these breakthroughs. By providing the necessary technical infrastructure, research capabilities, and production support, it helped Egyptian researchers move toward greater technological independence and local manufacturing.

Establishing a Complete Solar R&D and Manufacturing Platform
Before the joint laboratory was established, Egypt’s photovoltaic industry encountered several major obstacles, according to Zahran. The country lacked standardized research facilities, comprehensive manufacturing equipment, and sufficiently developed production technologies and technical systems.

Because solar cells were almost entirely imported, Egyptian research teams had limited opportunities to conduct practical experiments, develop manufacturing techniques, or undertake pilot-scale production.

The joint laboratory helped address these limitations by creating an integrated R&D and manufacturing platform for photovoltaic cells in Egypt.

According to Zahran, the facility encompasses the major stages involved in solar-cell production, together with specialized manufacturing and testing equipment. It also provides a standardized and clean research and production environment designed to operate under Egypt’s desert climatic conditions.

Zhou Meng, deputy director of the research department at the 48th Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), described the laboratory as a highly visible example of China-Egypt technological cooperation.

Looking ahead, the two countries intend to deepen joint research, development, and commercialization of advanced photovoltaic technologies. The broader objective is to ensure that communities in Egypt and elsewhere in the region can benefit more directly from advances in renewable energy.

Expanding Cooperation in Renewable Energy
Egypt has considerable natural advantages for solar power development. Zhou pointed out that the country receives approximately 3,000 hours of full sunshine annually, creating favorable conditions for large-scale solar-energy development.

China, meanwhile, has developed extensive expertise across the photovoltaic value chain, including advanced technologies, manufacturing equipment, and supply networks. The combination of Egypt’s abundant solar resources and China’s technological and industrial capabilities therefore provides a strong foundation for cooperation in renewable energy.

Zhou characterized the partnership as a natural example of complementary strengths between the two countries.

The collaboration has also addressed practical challenges faced during the early development of the joint laboratory on Karaman Island. At that stage, the site experienced limitations in both electricity availability and access to water.

To help overcome these difficulties, the laboratory introduced several photovoltaic-based demonstration projects. These included systems capable of operating both on and off the electricity grid, solar-powered water pumping facilities, and PV-based water purification systems.

Lu Yunzhang, a research fellow at CETC’s 48th Research Institute, described these relatively small-scale projects as practical initiatives with significant benefits for local communities. By providing alternative sources of electricity and water, they have helped alleviate local shortages while demonstrating how renewable-energy technologies can contribute to regional energy resilience.

Aref Eliwa, an ASRT professor, believes the potential for further China-Egypt cooperation in renewable energy is considerable. He sees the joint laboratory as an important platform for supporting Egypt’s transition toward a more sustainable energy system.

The laboratory has already demonstrated the value of close scientific collaboration. Eliwa noted that researchers from China and Egypt worked together to address technical challenges associated with high-resistance, dense-grid solar-cell technology. Their progress improved photovoltaic-cell efficiency and created a stronger technological basis for developing solar products suited to Egypt’s particular environmental and solar conditions.

Building More Than a Research Partnership
The joint laboratory has become more than simply a center for scientific and technological cooperation. The experience of establishing and operating it together has also strengthened personal relationships and mutual trust between Chinese and Egyptian teams.

Lu recalled that differences in language, culture, and working habits never prevented the two sides from working toward common objectives.

One incident particularly illustrates the close relationship that developed between the teams. At one point, the laboratory urgently required an industrial component that was unavailable locally. After learning about the situation, an Egyptian contractor arranged for a courier to travel overnight for more than 600 kilometers from Cairo to deliver the required part.

For Lu, this demonstrated the strong sense of solidarity that had developed between the Chinese and Egyptian partners.

Zahran also remembers the demanding conditions during the laboratory’s initial construction and commissioning period. While the diffusion furnace was being tested and commissioned, temperatures inside the facility rose above 40 degrees Celsius. Despite the extreme heat, Chinese members of the project team continued working for extended hours to keep the project on schedule.

Experiences such as these convinced Zahran that the two sides had evolved beyond being separate project teams. Instead, they had developed a close partnership united by a common objective: advancing renewable-energy technology through joint research and innovation.

That shared ambition extends beyond Egypt. The partners hope their work will contribute to Egypt’s success in developing a green-energy economy while also helping advance renewable energy across Africa.

Toward a Regional Renewable Energy Innovation Hub
The next stage of the partnership could see the joint laboratory develop into a broader regional center for renewable-energy innovation.

Zhou said the long-term plan is to transform the laboratory into a regional hub supporting renewable-energy research and innovation. Its activities would encompass collaborative research and development, technology demonstration and dissemination, and technical education and training.

By expanding these activities, the joint laboratory could extend its influence well beyond its original location, helping transfer knowledge and technologies throughout the region and strengthening the wider adoption of renewable-energy solutions.

From July 21 to 22, a delegation of young representatives from China and the United States visited Beijing to participate in a series of cultural visits and academic exchanges. Their itinerary began on July 21 with a tour of the Forbidden City, where they explored one of China's most iconic historical landmarks. The visit offered the delegates an opportunity to appreciate the grandeur of traditional Chinese architecture and gain a deeper understanding of Beijing's rich cultural heritage as an ancient capital.

Evelyn Neff
"This wasn't my first trip to China. I first visited Chengdu as a child to spend time with my family, and earlier this year, in January, I returned to Beijing.

Touring the Forbidden City was an unforgettable experience. Seeing the immense scale of its history, architecture, and cultural significance was truly inspiring. Its beauty and historical richness are unlike anything I have encountered in the United States. Being able to witness how China's history and traditions are reflected in its architecture made the visit especially meaningful."

On the morning of July 22, the delegation visited the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China. There, participants engaged in detailed discussions with scholars and experts on topics such as artificial intelligence and opportunities for technological collaboration between China and the United States.

Cecil Brooks
"Our visit to Renmin University gave us a unique chance to learn from experts who are applying technology to solve real social challenges. I was introduced to several Chinese AI-powered tools for the first time. It was fascinating to discover how WeChat's mini programs can assist with translation, help users explore unfamiliar places, and integrate with services like Didi for transportation. These interconnected digital services serve more than a billion people across China, demonstrating how technology can simplify everyday life and strengthen connections among people. It offers valuable insights into how similar innovations could benefit communities around the world."

The exchange program was jointly organized by the Center for the Americas of China International Communications Group and the U.S.-based International Student Conferences.

In 2024, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that data centers consumed about 1.5% of the world’s electricity. This figure is expected to more than double by 2030, mainly driven by the growth of AI infrastructure. To put this in context, such an increase would equal Japan’s current total electricity usage.

The question arises: how can we accommodate the growing energy demands—not only from AI but also from other digital technologies and the electrification of sectors like transportation and buildings?

Although this challenge seems significant, there is hope. Several innovations and technological advancements are emerging, such as more energy-efficient data centers, progress in liquid cooling techniques, better software optimization, enhanced energy security, and exploration of alternative energy sources.

Recently, I had the chance to discuss the future of energy with Mary de Wysocki, Cisco’s SVP and Chief Sustainability Officer; Adele Trombetta, Cisco’s SVP & GM for CX EMEA; and Christopher Wellise, VP of Sustainability at Equinix—a Cisco client that offers global digital infrastructure and colocation services. Here are some key insights from our conversation.

Q: How are customers adapting their strategies considering the current energy landscape?
Adele: Customers and partners are increasingly pushing for AI deployments to harness its benefits and remain competitive, across both public and private sectors. While there is undeniable pressure, the energy consumption of AI, especially generative AI and large language models (LLMs), is a growing concern. Many clients in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) have set net-zero goals, so they’re integrating sustainability into their AI adoption strategies from the outset rather than as an afterthought. It’s about balancing AI growth with energy impact management.

Mary: Perspectives differ depending on whether you speak with customers, partners, or suppliers, but a common theme is resilience. There's a strong emphasis on proactive investments to secure future energy availability. Collaboration and co-investment opportunities are becoming crucial. The focus remains on achieving growth, resilience, and sustainability together.

Chris: Key priorities among customers include resilience and reliability, ensuring uninterrupted application performance. Regulatory compliance is also critical, especially in regions like the EU with energy efficiency directives. Customers seek comprehensive solutions that optimize operations across the value chain and support sustainability reporting. As hybrid multi-cloud adoption grows, optimizing energy use across platforms and regions is a major focus. Partnerships are essential; for instance, 70% of devices connected to the Equinix fabric utilize Cisco technology, illustrating the value of supplier collaboration.

Q: What technological progress is being made in data centers to support the AI surge and manage energy needs?
Mary: Creating products that prioritize energy efficiency is essential for achieving business goals and sustainability. For example, Cisco’s Silicon One chip is designed to be energy-efficient while supporting AI workloads, helping customers lower power use without sacrificing performance. Another key innovation is the Sustainability Data Foundation (SDF), which centralizes data for tracking carbon footprints and advancing net-zero objectives. This empowers tech leaders with actionable insights for managing energy consumption and sustainability efforts.

Chris: Efficiency-focused design is critical. Since 2021, all new Equinix data centers aim for LEED or similar green certifications to ensure sustainable design and construction. Because data centers have lifespans of 20–30 years, optimization in both design and operations is necessary. Cooling is especially important, often accounting for over half of energy use. Over 100 Equinix data centers now employ liquid cooling technologies, such as direct-to-chip cooling systems that remove heat efficiently while preventing erosion and biofouling. This waste heat can be repurposed—for example, in Helsinki, heat from data centers warms thousands of homes, and during the Summer Olympics, pools were heated using data center heat. Additionally, AI-driven software creates digital twins that optimize cooling settings and reduce energy usage.

Adele: Cisco integrates sustainability and security into product design, responding to customers’ growing interest in understanding how technology is deployed and managed to address energy, performance, and AI challenges. According to Gartner, by 2030 over 70% of data centers will monitor sustainability metrics, up from about 10% today. Collaboration across partners and customers is essential to modernization and resource efficiency. Handling diverse data—from networking gear to grid and weather data—is complex but crucial. With tools like Splunk, these data streams can be streamlined to provide insights that drive optimization.

Q: How capable is the global electricity infrastructure in meeting rising energy demand?
Chris: The main challenge is not so much supply but distribution, which varies by region. In the U.S., aging infrastructure and complex regulations complicate matters. Europe sees rapid renewable energy growth but struggles with grid integration. Asia presents a mixed picture, with quick renewable expansion alongside continued fossil fuel reliance. Addressing both supply and distribution is critical.

Mary: Generative AI’s heavy energy needs raise concerns about reliable grid access. In places like New York City, the grid is outdated and fragile—70% of transmission lines are over 25 years old. AI holds potential to tackle some of these challenges but requires grid and data center modernization. Industrial IoT can help develop smarter, more secure grids that optimize energy use, support diverse sources, and enable predictive maintenance.

Adele: We work with customers leading digital transformation, including energy firms supporting national infrastructure. Our focus is on building smart, efficient grids. While AI is still emerging in this space, ongoing collaboration with utilities is key to meeting future demands flexibly.

If you want to dive deeper into how AI is shaping the future of energy, join me at Cisco Live US in San Diego from June 8-12 for an in-person discussion.

The session is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, June 10 from 2 to 2:30pm PT. Click here to register.