Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mahmoud Essmat, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to completing the ambitious Saudi-Egypt electricity interconnector project by early summer 2024.

Emphasizing the need for close collaboration among all stakeholders, Essmat has been actively overseeing the project’s progress. The interconnector, set to be implemented in two phases, is expected to create significant opportunities for Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

The first phase is slated to begin in July 2025, and the entire project is anticipated to be fully operational by early 2026. At an estimated cost of $1.8 billion, this project represents a major investment in regional energy cooperation.

To expedite the project’s implementation, Essmat has been holding intensive meetings with government officials, project consultants, and representatives from executing companies.

On Tuesday, Essmat convened with the coordinating committee, project consultant, executing companies, Deputy Minister Sabah Mashaly, and electricity sector leaders to review the work plan and assess progress.

Discussions focused on addressing challenges related to permits, licenses, infrastructure requirements, equipment delivery, and project execution, with particular attention to expediting technical work on tower heights, submarine cables, and oil pipelines near sensitive areas such as airports and the Suez Canal. Minister Essmat highlighted the strong cooperation between Egypt and Saudi Arabia in advancing this crucial project.

He emphasized that the interconnector will ensure network stability, reduce reliance on traditional fuels, and facilitate the exchange of 3,000 megawatts of electricity.

“The project is a testament to the deep Egyptian-Saudi relations throughout history and complements the vision of both countries (Vision 2030),” Essmat said.

“We will continue to work to improve the quality of electricity supply, enhance service levels, maintain the stability of the unified national network, and add new clean energy capabilities to reduce dependence on traditional fuels.”

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