Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mahmoud Esmat, has announced the successful installation of the first transformer at the Egypt-Saudi Arabia electricity interconnection station in Badr City. This marks a significant step in the $1.8 billion project, which aims to create a groundbreaking 500-kilovolt facility in the Middle East.

The project, set to be operational in two phases, is expected to begin in July 2025 with the initial phase generating 1,500 megawatts. Full operation is anticipated by early 2026, with a total capacity of 3,000 megawatts. This will enable Egypt to export electricity to Asia and Europe and improve its electricity crisis management.

The interconnection will involve three high-voltage transformer stations located in eastern Madinah, Tabuk, and Badr City. The stations will be linked by 1,350 kilometers of overhead lines and submarine cables, with approximately 22 kilometers of cables being laid beneath the Red Sea’s coral reefs.

Sabah Mashali, Deputy Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, along with Gaber Desouky, Chairperson of the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company, attended the installation ceremony. The project, managed by a consortium of three global companies, aims to enhance regional electricity integration and leverage Egypt’s electricity surplus.

Egypt’s daily electricity production stands at 58,000 megawatts, with a consumption of 33,000 megawatts. Together with Saudi Arabia, their combined generating capacity accounts for 38% of the Arab world’s total electricity production.

Source: zawya.com