Egypt completes electrical interconnection project with Saudi Arabia

Egypt has announced the completion of the Egyptian side of the electrical interconnection project with Saudi Arabia. The project, which spans approximately 1,320 to 1,350 kilometers, aims to facilitate the exchange of up to 3,000 megawatts of electricity between the two nations.

Egyptian Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mahmoud Esmat, stated that the project is entering the trial operation phase. Key infrastructure completed includes the 500 kV Badr transformer station and the 320-kilometer Badr/Taba overhead line, along with transmission towers crossing the Suez Canal. The project connects Egypt's Badr station to the East Madinah and Tabuk stations in Saudi Arabia, representing an investment of approximately $1.8 billion.

The interconnection is designed to enhance grid stability and improve load management by leveraging the different peak consumption times in each country. This initiative is part of Egypt's broader strategy to become a regional energy hub, with ongoing studies for connections to Greece and Italy, and existing or planned links with Sudan, Libya, Jordan, and Cyprus.