Saudi Arabia-Egypt Electricity Interconnection Project

he electricity interconnection project between Saudi Arabia and Egypt is poised to facilitate the exchange of up to 3GW of power. It will represent the first large-scale high-voltage direct current (HVDC) interconnection link in the Middle East and North Africa, covering approximately 1,350km.

The project will incorporate a 1,200km overhead transmission line (OHTL). It is anticipated to reach completion in stages, with an initial capacity of 1.5GW expected to be operational by late 2024, and the remaining capacity is expected for completion by mid-2025.

A formal agreement has been signed between the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company and the Saudi Electricity Company, to establish the infrastructure. This collaboration will enable both countries to optimise their energy requirements and surplus production. Each nation will gain the capacity to export excess electricity and provide support during periods of peak demand through the connection.

In future exchanges, a substantial proportion of electricity is expected to be sourced from renewable resources, in line with both countries’ sustainability goals.

Saudi Arabia plans to increase its use of natural gas and renewables in its power generation mix to approximately 50% by 2030. Similarly, Egypt targets 42% of its power generation to come from renewable sources by 2035. The interconnection project will play an instrumental role in realising these objectives and promoting cleaner energy systems throughout the region.

Transmission route details

The project entails the development of a ±500kV HVDC OHTL commencing from the western city of Madinah, proceeding northwards towards Tabuk, traversing the Gulf of Aqaba, and extending into the Sinai Peninsula, culminating further within Egypt.

The transmission line will connect the 380kV Madinah East converter station to the 380kV Tabuk converter station and end at the 500/220kV Badr converter station.

The OHTL will traverse approximately 672km between the first two stations. Upon reaching Tabuk, the line will continue northwards for an additional 228km, concluding at Halat Ammar Port.

The OHTL will then extend westwards, running parallel to the Jordanian border until it reaches the coastal area of Al Wasel, where it will connect to a transmission station close to the Gulf of Aqaba.

A 10km subsea cable within Saudi Arabia’s maritime boundaries will link to an additional 10km subsea cable traversing the Gulf of Aqaba and on to Egypt. A 335km overhead transmission line will further connect the network to the Badr converter station. The Badr station will disperse 1.5GW, or 50% of the project’s total exchange capacity to the national grid.