Egypt and Saudi Arabia are preparing to launch their 3,000-megawatt electricity interconnection project within the coming weeks, following the completion of trial operations for its second phase.
Egyptian Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat met with Saudi Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman to review cooperation in the electricity sector and explore new opportunities in renewable energy.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Arab Ministerial Council for Electricity and the International Energy Forum, focused on final preparations for the official launch of the interconnection line. The two ministers discussed the completion of trial operations for the second phase, which has a capacity of 1,500 MW and is being finalized by technical teams in both countries.
Once operational, the project will bring total interconnection capacity between the two national grids to 3,000 MW.
A Strategic Energy Project
The ministers reviewed the project’s progress and the steps required for its launch. The interconnection is regarded as one of the region’s largest energy-exchange infrastructure projects and a key foundation for a broader Arab electricity network.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia agreed to jointly announce the completion of the second phase’s trial operations and the start of commercial operation.
The project is designed to enable the two countries to exchange electricity according to differences in peak-demand periods and load levels. It is also expected to improve the use of surplus power, increase returns, and strengthen the stability and sustainability of both countries’ electricity grids.
Renewable Energy Cooperation
The talks also covered opportunities to expand private investment in renewable energy, particularly solar and wind projects. Both countries aim to align these efforts with their sustainable development plans and broader energy-transition policies.
The ministers further discussed mechanisms for sharing technical expertise and modern technologies in power generation, transmission, and distribution. They agreed on several cooperation proposals to support joint projects and promote economically efficient operations that serve the interests of both countries.
Project Details
The Egypt–Saudi Arabia interconnection allows for the exchange of up to 3,000 MW, taking advantage of the difference in peak electricity demand between the two countries.
The project includes three major high-voltage converter stations: one in East Madinah, another in Tabuk, and a third in Badr City, east of Cairo. These are linked by approximately 1,350 kilometers of overhead transmission lines, in addition to submarine cables.
The project was implemented by a consortium of three international companies.
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