Saudi Arabia, Egypt Plan Tender for $1.5 Billion Power Transmission Project

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Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Saudi Arabia and Egypt expect to issue a joint tender by the end of this year or in early 2015 for a $1.5 billion power transmission project.

The power cables will stretch 1,250 kilometers between Medina, Saudi Arabia, to Cairo, Egypt.

In June 2013, the nations signed an agreement to set up a common power grid with a capacity of 3,000 megawatts (MW). The grid is to be funded proportionately by the two countries, with Egypt's share estimated at $610 million.

The grid link is aimed at easing pressure on peak-time demand, and it will take three years to complete from the time construction is started. The two countries have started preparation of the tender documents and revision of technical specifications for the project. The power peak period in Saudi Arabia is from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; in Egypt, it is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. So Saudi Arabia can import power supplies from Egypt during the day and export them to Egypt at night.

The tendering process for the project will be completed toward the end of this year or in early 2015, according to a Saudi electricity and water official.

For related information, see April 23, 2013, article - Saudi-Egypt Interconnector Project to be Revived.

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