Hassan Younis, Minister of Electricity and Energy, has stressed the importance of the electricity linkage project between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The technical and economic studies indicated that the project would be feasible. It would bring considerable benefits to the development plans in the two countries. During the signing of the $4-million contract yesterday, Younis said: "The Arab States insist on completing the Arab electricity linkage project. Therefore, Egypt and Saudi Arabia will carry out this project between networks of the two countries."
A survey will be conducted on the areas that have been proposed to witness the linkage lines in order to select the most appropriate technical and economic one. In addition, there will be technical and design studies on the equipment for the electrical linkage between the two countries. Continuous flow will be used in conducting these studies.
The consulting firm will provide a number of Egyptian and Saudi cadres with advanced training to raise the efficiency of those who work for the project and to draw upon the expertise of the consulting firm.
Studies indicated that the electricity linkage project should be carried out through a 500- kv transmission line, Minister Younis said, stressing the two sides' desire to complete the project by 2012. The capacity of this line is expected to reach 3000 megawatts.
