Egypt-Saudi Arabia power grid link operational before next summer – minister

A project to link the power grids of Egypt and Saudi Arabia is expected to be operational before next summer, Egyptian Electricity Minister Mahmoud Ezzat announced on Monday.

The move is part of a comprehensive plan to enhance the efficiency of Egypt’s energy system and stave off power shortages during demand peak in the summer, the minister noted. He highlighted several key strategies, including improving power plant operations, reducing fuel consumption, and addressing distribution losses.

The power grid link project aims to leverage the difference in peak load times between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, optimising generation capacities and reducing fuel consumption, Minister Ezzat noted.

Moreover, the minister said the project will link the two largest electricity networks in the region, serving as a foundation for future Arab energy integration. He expects the project would help enhance the stability and reliability of electricity supply between the two countries, yielding significant economic and developmental benefits.

The project involves the construction of three high-voltage transformer stations: one in East Madinah, Saudi Arabia, another in Tabuk, and the third in Badr City, east of Cairo. These stations will be connected by approximately 1,350 kilometers of overhead lines and marine cables. A consortium of three global companies is overseeing the implementation.

Attribution: The Egyptian Cabinet statement