The electrical interconnection between Egypt and Saudi Arabia has begun with a capacity of 1500 megawatts
The Egyptian government announced today a major strategic step in the energy sector, setting a date for the launch of the first phase of the massive electricity interconnection project with Saudi Arabia, which will begin with an operational capacity of 1,500 megawatts. This announcement comes as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the stability of the national electricity grid and address the challenges of increasing energy demand.
Details of the presidential meeting and security plans
This announcement came during an important meeting held today by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat. During the meeting, the President reviewed the comprehensive plan developed by the Ministry of Electricity to ensure a reliable electricity supply for citizens during the upcoming summer months, in order to address the anticipated increase in consumption rates.
The official spokesman for the Presidency of the Republic, Ambassador Mohamed El Shenawy, stated that Minister Mahmoud Esmat confirmed that the electrical interconnection project between the two countries will play a pivotal role in stabilizing the national grid, noting that launching the current in the first phase with a capacity of 1500 megawatts will directly support the urgent plan to secure the needs of the summer of 2026.
The strategic and economic importance of the project
The electricity interconnection project between Egypt and Saudi Arabia is one of the most important infrastructure projects in the Arab region, linking the two largest electricity grids in the Arab world with a total targeted capacity of 3,000 megawatts upon completion of all phases. The economic importance of this project lies in exploiting the difference in peak consumption times between the two countries; electricity loads in Saudi Arabia typically peak during the afternoon, while in Egypt they peak in the evening. This allows for the exchange of surplus electricity and reduces pressure on local power plants in both countries.
This project also represents the nucleus of a comprehensive Arab electrical interconnection, and enhances Egypt’s position as a pivotal regional energy hub, as the project connects the continents of Asia and Africa via high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technologies that ensure highly efficient energy transmission over long distances.
Load forecasts and expansion in renewable energy
In a related development, the Egyptian Minister of Electricity revealed expectations of a 6-7% increase in demand on the national grid next summer. To address this increase, the ministry has developed an ambitious plan that includes adding 3,000 megawatts of solar power this year.
The minister pointed to the strengthening of the network with new capacities based on a battery storage system, where 600 megawatts are scheduled to be added before the summer arrives, bringing the total available capacities through energy storage technology to about 1100 megawatts, reflecting the trend towards relying on smart and sustainable solutions to ensure energy security.
