Egypt, Saudi Arabia begin grid interconnection

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - After several years of analysis, electrical experts in Egypt and Saudi Arabia recently announced that an interconnection between the electrical grids of the two countries would be beneficial for both nations.

The Egyptian grid has a total installed capacity of 25,000 megawatts MW and a peak load of 18,000 MW. The country plans to add 10,000 MW by 2017. Saudi Arabia has a power generating capacity of 39,000 MW and plans to add 15 to its total installed capacity by 2020.

On March 29 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, representatives from both countries reviewed the preliminary designs for an electrical connection project between two countries. Plans involve the construction of substations in Badr, Egypt and Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, as well as along the CairoSuez road in eastern Egypt. Discussions also involved different scenarios for financing the project.

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr. Hassan Yunis said the project will enable the two countries to exchange 3,000 MW of electrical power on directcurrent transmission lines, saving investments of $3.7 billion. Yunis said that many studies had been carried out to study the technical issues and feasibility of the project.