"Egypt is forging ahead with the construction of its nuclear power plants," Electricity and Energy Minister Hassan Younis said Wednesday14/5/2008 in a speech read out on his behalf by First Undersecretary Moussa Omran at a forum held by the Cabinet Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) on "Future of Energy in Egypt".

Younis said a tender for nuclear power plant program consultancy on site selection and evaluation closed and envelopes will be opened May 29. Younis said electricity has been extended to 99.3% of inhabitants.

Energy demand outlook in 2027 is estimated at about 55,000 megawatt, said the minister, noting that to meet those needs more transformer stations must be built and distribution networks extended.

The ministry's strategy aims to increase renewable energy to 20% of Egypt energy production, he said.

Besides, Younis and Ambassador Klaus Ebermann, the head of the European Union (EU) mission in Egypt, will Thursday open a workshop on nuclear safety at the ministry headquarters.

"The workshop will discuss means of technical cooperation between Egypt and the EU in fields pertaining to the legislative and organizational framework of nuclear safety," read a statement by the EU mission.

The EU mission in Egypt seeks cooperation with third-world countries in the nuclear safety domain, the statement noted.

Egypt had announced the construction of a number of nuclear power stations to secure electricity supplies.