– Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mahmoud Essmat, reaffirmed his commitment to completing the USD 1.8 billion Saudi-Egypt electricity interconnector project by early summer 2024, with full operations expected by early 2026.

– Intensive meetings have been held with stakeholders and authorities to accelerate project implementation, address challenges in remote areas, and ensure the timely completion of technical work related to tower heights, submarine cables, and other critical infrastructure.

– The project is expected to facilitate the exchange of 3,000 megawatts, contributing to network stability, enhancing electricity supply between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and serving as a cornerstone for future Arab interconnection initiatives.

Egypt’s government reaffirmed commitment to completing the Saudi-Egypt electricity interconnection project by early summer 2024, stressing the significance of close collaboration and coordination among all involved parties.

The project, which will be implemented in two phases, is set to create new opportunities for both Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The first phase is slated to commence in July 2025, with full operation expected by early 2026 at an estimated cost of $1.8 billion.

Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mahmoud Essmat, has conducted intensive meetings with stakeholders responsible for implementing the project, as well as with representatives of relevant authorities involved in issuing permits and licenses for the project’s construction.

These include considerations related to tower heights, submarine cables, oil pipelines, and other necessary infrastructure.

“There is agreement, cooperation, and coordination between Egypt and Saudi Arabia on the necessity of bringing the electricity interconnection line into service and connecting it to the unified network in both countries by early summer,” the minister stated.

Discussions included updates on equipment delivery, the opening of credit lines, project execution progress, and alignment with the established timeline.

The meetings also focused on collaboration among all parties to enhance resources and expedite the completion of technical work, particularly concerning tower heights near airports, oil pipelines, the Suez Canal, and other critical locations along the interconnector’s path.

The senior official underscored the importance of overcoming any financial, administrative, or technical barriers to ensure the project’s timely completion and the commencement of operations.

“The project is one of the key factors in ensuring network stability without the need for additional fuel to operate power plants, allowing for reserve capacity during peak demand,” Essmat explained. “It aims to facilitate the exchange of 3,000 megawatts.”

He also highlighted the project’s potential to serve as a cornerstone for future Arab interconnection initiatives, noting its positive impact on the stability and continuity of electricity supply between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, along with significant economic and developmental benefits.