The Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) has been awarded an “A” issuer credit rating with a stable outlook by S&P Global Ratings, marking a significant milestone in bolstering its role as a cornerstone of regional and international energy security.

The rating is set to strengthen GCCIA’s financial position, improving access to loans on favorable terms, boosting investor confidence, and reducing borrowing costs — further enhancing its reputation as a trusted institution in global energy markets.

S&P Global cited GCCIA’s pivotal role in safeguarding electricity supplies across the Gulf since launching operations in 2009. The agency also noted that member states continue to factor the authority’s contributions into their long-term energy strategies, reflecting its strategic importance to regional power security.

GCCIA CEO Ahmed Al-Ebrahim welcomed the rating, describing it as one of the highest awarded to any Gulf-based company and a testament to the authority’s growing regional and international influence. 

He added that GCCIA has strengthened its financial model to support expansion plans, with future funding to be sourced from financial institutions rather than member states.

Operating under a cost-recovery framework that limits financial risk, GCCIA secures around 85% of its revenue through formula-based payments from its shareholders, with minimal delays. The remaining 15% comes from its recent expansion into Iraq, which S&P views as carrying higher risk.

Looking ahead, GCCIA plans to invest between $1.1 billion and $1.3 billion in expanding its network between 2025 and 2027. 

While these projects are expected to put some pressure on its credit metrics due to full debt financing, the authority’s strong operational track record — including supporting national grids through more than 2,000 emergency cases over the past 15 years — underscores its critical role in enabling renewable energy growth, meeting rising electricity demand, and maintaining grid stability across the GCC.