Egypt and Saudi Arabia are set to inaugurate their 3,000‑megawatt electricity interconnection project in the coming weeks, following the completion of trial operations for its second phase, Egyptian Electricity Minister Mahmoud Esmat said.
Esmat made the announcement during talks in Riyadh with Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud on the sidelines of the Arab Ministerial Council for Electricity meetings and the International Energy Forum. The two sides reviewed progress on the project and preparations for its official launch.
The first phase has already been completed, while technical teams are finalising trial operations for the second, which adds 1,500 MW of capacity. Both governments agreed to jointly announce the conclusion of the trials and the start of full operations
The project is designed to enable electricity exchanges between Egypt and Saudi Arabia by leveraging differences in peak demand periods. It is also expected to improve grid stability, optimize the use of surplus electricity, reduce fuel consumption, and support more efficient power system operations in both countries.
Esmat said the project would connect two of the region’s largest power grids, paving the way for a broader Arab electricity market.
The meeting also explored private-sector investment in solar and wind power, alongside technical cooperation to improve operational efficiency. He added that the project would support further regional interconnections, expand clean energy, reduce carbon emissions, and limit reliance on fossil fuels.
According to the ministry, the interconnection project comprises three high-voltage converter stations: one in East Madinah and another in Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, and a third in Badr, east of Cairo. The project also includes approximately 1,350 kilometers of overhead transmission lines and subsea cables. An international consortium of three companies is implementing the project.
The consortium includes Orascom Construction, Hitachi ABB Power Grids, and Saudi Services for Electro Mechanic Works Company (SSEM).
