The government plans to open six new coal-run power plants located in remote coastal areas, Environment Minister Khaled Fahmy announced.
Using coal to run old power plants is not allowed, but can be used in new ones provided they be located in remote areas, he pointed out.
The first will be located on the coast of the Red Sea in the south, far from natural reserves and industrial areas, he said.
The second location will be on the Mediterranean coast but the area has not yet been determined, the minister added.
The Cabinet amended the law on environmental affairs in April so as not to allow the use of coal for cement, iron and steel, aluminum production, and in power plants.
Environmental activists have criticized the use of coal for powering the nation's power grid because despite being the cheapest, it is also the most polluting method of energy prodution because of the harmful chemicals it releases into the atmosphere and the surrounding areas.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
