The Ministry of Electricity expects the power grid link with Sudan to begin operations by the end of 2019, Mubasher reported.

Egypt has completed preparations for the electrical interconnection project with Sudan through the implementation of the needed infrastructure projects, according to the ministry spokesman Ayman Hamza.

The project’s cost is estimated at $56 million (EGP 928.4 million).

It should be noted that the delay in operating the project was due to political instability in Sudan, despite the completion of equipment and infrastructure works since February.

The two countries signed an agreement to link their power grids back in April 2018.

Egypt has an ambitious plan to be a regional energy hub and the center of electrical interconnection projects between Africa and Europe. The Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) signed in May a framework agreement with Euro Africa Interconnector Company to connect the power grids of Egypt, Cyprus, and Greece, through Crete, by a 2,000-megawatt (MW) electricity interconnector.

Euro Africa Interconnector prepared a feasibility study for the first phase of connecting 1,000 MW between the three countries.