Egypt and Saudi Arabia have agreed to take the necessary steps to begin operating the power linkage grid project by the summer of 2025. This announcement came from Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mahmoud Esmat, following his one-day visit to Saudi Arabia to discuss the project’s progress.
Project details
The power linkage grid project is part of the ministry’s broader plan to enhance the stability of the electricity network and reduce the reliance on additional fuel for power generation. This initiative also aligns with Egypt’s efforts to address the severe energy shortage, which led to the introduction of a load-shedding program.
Although this program was temporarily halted on July 21, it is set to resume in mid-September. The project, initially signed in October 2021, is a collaboration between three international companies.
It aims to facilitate the exchange of up to 3,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The infrastructure will include three stations: two in Saudi Arabia (Madinah and Tabuk) and one in Egypt (Badr City). These stations will be connected by approximately 1,350 kilometres of overhead transmission lines and marine cables.
Project essence
Minister Esmat emphasized that the implementation is progressing as scheduled, with both countries making significant efforts to complete the project. The goal is to start operations and connect the grid to the unified network in Egypt and Saudi Arabia by the beginning of next summer.
During his meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy, Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, Minister Esmat received assurances of full support and the necessary resources to ensure the project’s timely completion. To facilitate ongoing coordination, both parties agreed to form joint committees for weekly communication and follow-up.
These committees will focus on maximizing the benefits of recent advancements in both countries’ electricity networks and the restructuring of production, transmission, and distribution companies in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the meeting covered discussions on further cooperation in electricity to take advantage of different peak times, enhance electrical stability, and improve the management and utilization of electricity surplus in both countries.
There was also an emphasis on identifying new private investment opportunities in renewable energy projects. Both countries are committed to investing in solar and wind energy for their sustainable development goals.
Several cooperation agreements were made to support the implementation of a joint approach to establishing energy projects and enhancing electrical infrastructure. These agreements aim to bolster both nations’ efforts to achieve a stable and sustainable energy future.
This collaboration aims to improve electricity stability, reduce fuel dependency, and explore further opportunities in renewable energy, reinforcing their commitment to sustainable development.