Egypt and Saudi Arabia have announced plans to begin works on the electricity linkage between the two countries. This initiative aims to enable Egypt and Saudi Arabia to exchange up to 3,000 MW of electricity, enhancing network stability and reducing fuel dependency for power generation.
The project, signed in October 2021, is set to begin operations in fall 2025. It includes three stations and approximately 1,350 km of transmission lines and marine cables. The three electrical transmission plants will be installed in Saudi Arabia’s Medina and Tabouk regions and in Egypt’s Badr City.
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Energy boost
The connection will be facilitated by overhead power lines covering a total distance of 1,350 kilometers, supplemented by submarine cables. The project is being implemented by a consortium of three global companies, bringing their expertise in electrical transmission infrastructure to the forefront.
Upon completion, the project is set to increase the electricity output with Libya from 150MW to 2,000MW. Capacity was raised from 100MW to 150MW in January 2023, and the line’s capacity was increased from 220Kv to 500Kv.
Efforts are underway to boost the electricity linkage with Jordan from 450MW megawatts to 1,100MW. The line capacity will be enhanced to 400Kv. Former Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mohamed Shaker, emphasized that these projects are pivotal in positioning Egypt as a central energy hub connecting Africa, Europe, and the Arab Gulf. Future studies are also exploring opportunities for electricity linkages with African nations, leveraging their substantial hydropower resources.
