The Ministry of Electricity received on Monday the studies carried out by Euro Africa for the electricity interconnection project between Egypt and Europe via Cyprus. Sources at the ministry told Daily News Egypt that Minister of Electricity Mohamed Shaker issued a decision to form a higher committee to evaluate the study in terms of all aspects, including technical, financial, and legal, in order for it to be presented to President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi in October. The sources added that the project allows connecting Cyprus and Crete with the European Union (EU). It also contributes to achieving economic and political benefits for all the countries involved. The sources pointed out the importance of extending a marine electricity cable and the benefits it would bring to Egypt's strategic plan to achieve economic development and energy security. The project is also deemed as one of the projects that will help connect Egypt to the international electricity grid. The sources added that implementing the interconnection project enhances partnership in the energy sector. It also increases available capacities. There are also expectations of an increased demand on the production of electrical energy according to the current developments in the energy sector, especially because the project to interconnect the electricity of Egypt to Cyprus and then to Greece and the rest of Europe will make Egypt an important energy conveyor for the European continent. The sources said that Egypt is actively involved in all electricity linkage projects, as Egypt is connected to its neighbouring countries in the east and west through Jordan and Libya. Currently, there are feasibility studies to increase the capacity of the electricity connection line with Jordan to withstand up to 3,000 MW instead of 450 MW. The joint electrical interconnection project between Egypt and Saudi Arabia continues through electric connection lines using direct current, with a capacity of 3,000 MW. The Ministry of Electricity is currently considering establishing interconnections with African countries to benefit from the great potential of hydropower on the continent.
