Environment Minister Khalid Fahmi said that coal would be used in Egypt's energy mix with a maximum of 15 percent and the nuclear energy by 5 percent. 

The government program will work on reducing the use of diesel oil, petroleum and natural gas to less than 50 percent, the minister said at the opening of a workshop on "Third National Report to Egypt - the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change".

Coal is now an essential part of the energy mix in Egypt, and there is no time to debate about whether to use it or not, adding the decision to use it was taken by the cabinet.

Coal will be used in cement factories and power stations as per strict environmental standards for the use of coal, the minister said. 

The workshop was attended by Head of Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) Ahmed Abo Saud, UNDP Resident Representative in Egypt Ignacio Artaza, Head of the Climate Change Central Department Hesham Ahmed Eissa, Assistant UNDP Representative Mohamed Bayoumi, climate change expert Dr. El Sayed Sabri and Secretary General of the Union of Arab environmental experts Dr. Magdi Allam.

Source: MENA