Hassan Allam, Schneider Electric launch smart farming project in Nile Delta village

EGYPT – Egyptian  infrastructure group Hassan Allam Holding has joined forces with Schneider Electric to begin a sustainable agriculture project in El-Nouras, a rural village south of Port Said.

The move, announced Monday, aims to improve rural incomes and address water and energy challenges through modern farming infrastructure.

The project supports Egypt’s Vision 2030 strategy and follows the Nexus of Water-Food-Energy (NWFE) approach, which connects development efforts in the three sectors.

This method is seen as especially relevant in the Nile Delta, where pressure on water and farmland has grown due to climate change and high input costs.

Solar-powered greenhouse targets food and energy efficiency

At the center of the project is a solar-powered, climate-controlled greenhouse. Once completed, it is expected to produce up to 20 tons of vegetables each year.

The system runs on Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure platform, which uses digital tools to manage energy use and reduce waste.

By moving away from diesel-powered irrigation, the project aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the cost of running small farms.

“This model shows how we can address climate risks while also supporting income growth for local farmers,” said a project spokesperson during the announcement.

The team expects the greenhouse to improve crop quality and yields, even as climate and water conditions worsen across the Delta.

Officials say this kind of technology could become a core part of Egypt’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which focus on clean energy and sustainable agriculture.

Jobs, local involvement at the core

The project includes plans for job creation, with a focus on women and young people in the area. El-Nouras, which has around 12,000 residents, depends on the El-Salam Canal for irrigation.

By bringing technology and job training to the village, the partners hope to improve both food security and economic stability.

“This initiative shows how the private sector can contribute directly to community well-being,” said an official from Schneider Electric during the Innovation Day event in Cairo. The event, held under the theme Buildings of the Future, brought together experts to explore digital tools and green infrastructure solutions.

If the project succeeds, the model could expand to other parts of the Nile Delta facing similar problems.

Hassan Allam Holding emphasized that lessons from El-Nouras could guide future rural development plans that align with Egypt’s clean energy and food strategies.

In a related update, Egypt’s Ministry of International Cooperation recently reported progress on several NWFE-linked investments.

These include efforts to scale up renewable energy projects, improve water use in farming, and build stronger links between public and private players.

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