How did offshore natural gas discoveries support industrial development near Alexandria?

Offshore natural gas discoveries have played a significant role in supporting industrial development in the region surrounding Alexandria. The identification of substantial natural gas deposits, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea and the Abū Qīr area northeast of Alexandria, provided a critical energy source for the country’s industrial growth.1

This energy supply has been instrumental in fueling industrial centers throughout the north and northwest delta. Furthermore, as Egypt’s population and energy demands have increased, the government has constructed numerous thermal power plants that rely on these abundant natural gas reserves to generate electricity, which now accounts for approximately four-fifths of the country's power production. This reliable energy infrastructure supports the diverse industrial and commercial activities in Alexandria—which accounts for roughly two-fifths of Egypt’s industrial output—including manufacturing, food processing, and the production of petrochemicals and cement.12