Dr. Mahmoud Esmat, Minister of Electricity, confirmed that the trial operation of the electrical interconnection project between Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will begin within a few weeks.
This came after he inspected the energy exchange station in Badr City, which represents the cornerstone of the giant electrical interconnection project between Cairo and Riyadh, the various stations and the control and operation center, in the presence of the leaders of the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company.
The Minister reviewed the completion rates and testing stages of the equipment and missions, stressing that the project is the first of its kind in the Middle East region in terms of size, manufacturing and operation technology, and its pivotal role in supporting the stability of the national grid and improving the quality of the electrical supply.
Dr. Mahmoud Esmat reviewed the executive position of the testing work and the operating time plan, which includes the completion of operating tests for the Badr transformer station, the Sakakin Taba 2 station, and the Badr Taba 2 overhead line with a voltage of 500 kilovolts and a length of approximately 320 km, in addition to marine and terrestrial cables, installation work for missions, medium and low voltage cables, electrical supply work for the alternating and direct current systems, operation of control panels, and tests of cable terminations. Drainage and water networks, and optical fibers.
The Minister pointed out that there is continuous coordination and cooperation with our brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to complete the testing, start-up and connection stages of the two networks during the coming period, in implementation of the directives of the political leadership, and in a way that achieves optimal economic operation of the unified network in the two countries.
He explained that electrical interconnection projects represent bridges of energy that enhance partnership and economic integration between countries, noting that the Egyptian-Saudi interconnection project aims to benefit from the difference in peak load times between the two networks, maximize the use of generation capabilities, reduce fuel consumption, and support reliance on renewable energies.
He pointed out that the project connects the two largest electricity networks in the region, and forms the nucleus of an electrical connection linking the continents of Africa, Asia and Europe, in preparation for the establishment of a joint Arab market for electricity.
It is noteworthy that the Egyptian-Saudi electrical interconnection project is one of the most important strategic projects in the Middle East region, with a transmission capacity of up to 3,000 megawatts, and aims to enhance energy security and exchange electricity between the two countries according to advanced systems.
The project contributes to achieving regional electrical integration, supporting the transition towards clean energies, and creating new investment opportunities, in addition to its expected role in linking electricity networks between three continents, which strengthens the position of Egypt and the Kingdom as two main axes on the global energy map.
