In 2009, plans emerged for the construction of a massive 750 MWe Natural Gas-Fired Combined-Cycled Power Plant in the heart of Nuweiba. The project promoter was the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC),  the European Investment Bank (EIB) served as the primary funder, with additional support from the Arab African International Bank (AAIB).

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However, large-scale power plants as such, are notorious for their environmental toll, releasing harmful emissions and significantly altering nearby ecosystems. One of the biggest threats comes from thermal pollution. Vast amounts of heated wastewater, used to cool turbines, are discharged back into the sea, containing Toxic anti-fouling agents and cleaning chemicals. This process raises water temperatures, severely harming and disrupting marine biodiversity, and polluting the sea.

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Beyond its devastating environmental impact, the proposed power plant also threatened the livelihoods of the Bedouin communities and local businesses, whose economy depends heavily on tourism, that intern depends greatly on the natural resources of the area.

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Determined to prevent this ecological and cultural disaster from happening, Hemaya took swift action. With an overwhelming support from the local community, including Bedouins, local business owners, hotels, diving centers, and residents, Hemaya launched a petition campaign, gathering 2,300 signatures in an online appeal to the Egyptian government. A complaint was also submitted to the European Investment Bank (EIB), highlighting the irreversible damages the power plant would cause to the region. 

 

To validate these claims, the EIB sent three independent experts:

1. In Tourism: To review the economic impact of the project on the local tourist industry.

2. In Environmental Conservation: To study the project’s impact on the biodiversity of the sea waters (Aqaba Gulf)

3. In Community Development: To assess the social impact of the project on local communities, particularly the Bedouins

 

Their findings provided critical evidence of the project's long-term consequences.

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After a year of persistent advocacy, discussions, and expert evaluations, the EIB withdrew its funding, halting the project in Nuweiba by April 2010. Even though the bank remained open to financing the power plant project elsewhere, it remained a huge victory for the local community to ensure the protection of Nuweiba’s natural landscapes, marine ecosystems, and cultural heritage. This campaign proved as a massive success that demonstrated the power of community driven action. ​