The Ministry of Electricity is inviting tenders for the construction of an Egypt to Saudi Arabia power grid link, at an estimated cost of US$1.5 billion. Each country will carry the costs of construction on its own territory. A source from the Ministry of Electricity and Energy said the project will include a 1300km long aerial cable, of which 450 kilometers will extend across Egyptian land, and 850 kilometers across Sauid land. Twenty kilometers of the cable will be underwater. The same source said that there are no technical or financial problems holding up the project. It was agreed that the two sides will exchange the same amount of electricity to overcome the electricity price differential between the two countries. Aktham Abul Ela, spokesperson for the Ministry, said that economic feasibility studies for the project have shown that it will be solve the problem of power cuts in both countries since they have different peak hours of consumption. In Saudi Arabia, peak consumption takes place during daylight while in Egypt the peak hours are between eight and ten in the evening. Abul Ela added that approximately 3000 megawatts of electricity will be exchanged per day, which should help provide a stable supply of electricity for both parties. He also said that the route for the link cable has already been determined. Marine research will be conducted at a cost of US$2.5 million. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
