Saudi Arabia’s Iraq powergrid project launch
Saudi Arabia announces official launch of Iraq powergrid project.
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Saudi Arabia, Jeddah: Saudi Arabia announces official launch of Iraq powergrid project.
Saudi Arabia has announced the launch of the powergrid interconnection project with Iraq, which entails the implementation of a 400 kV dual-circuit transmission line linking the city of Arar in Saudi Arabia to Yusufiya in western Baghdad, boasting an initial capacity of 1000 MW.
The agreement for the project was signed by GCC Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) and Iraq.
Once finalized and operational, the project, alongside the Gulf-Iraq electrical interconnection project, will provide substantial assistance to the Iraqi electrical grid, augmenting its capability to meet the growing electricity demands of the Iraqi population in the upcoming years.
The anticipated capacity to be imported through this initiative is estimated at 500 MW.
Speaking on the occasion, Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz said: “The launch of the Iraq electrical interconnection project has thrown open abundant prosperity as well as extensive advantages to the entire region. The project has consistently demonstrated its impact year after year, generating numerous economic advantages for the GCC countries. Notably, it has substantially reduced both the capital and operational expenses associated with the Gulf electricity network,” he added.
Prince Saud pointed out that the project had furnished approximately half of the overall required energy reserves in the countries prior to the finalization of the electrical interconnection.
“Through this collaboration, we achieve a multitude of objectives, elevating the stature of the GCC countries in bolstering and enhancing the value of the regional electricity market,” stated Prince Saud.
The project’s primary objectives include addressing the loss of generation capacity during emergencies, reducing generation reserves in member countries, mitigating carbon emissions, minimizing costs associated with fiber optic network infrastructure, and facilitating the exchange and trade of electrical energy among member states.
CEO Engineer Ahmed Al Ebrahim stated: “This platform sets the stage for realizing the Arab aspiration of interconnection with Iraq, followed by Jordan and Egypt, thus creating the ‘Arab Common Electricity Market’”.
According to him, plans are afoot to increase the investments in Gulf electricity networks by approximately $1.5 B over the next five years. This increased investment in Gulf electricity networks will boost the capacity for power grid interconnection.
“Our forthcoming plan for interconnection beyond the GCC system involves connecting with Jordan and Egypt, and they are presently conducting the final feasibility study for interconnection to reach Europe,” he added.
Source: Zawya
#Arab Common Electricity Market#electrical interconnection#PowerGrid