Egypt and Saudi Arabia plan to appoint a consultant to conduct a submarine survey of the cable landing point of the electrical connection project between the two countries.
A government source told Daily News Egypt that the updates of the electrical connection project between Egypt and Saudi Arabia have changed, and the consultation company will handle determining the point to land the cables through a submarine survey.
The sources added that Egyptian Electric Holding Company, in coordination with Saudi officials, will invite the companies working in the field of submarine surveys to submit their offers to implement the survey and the tracking of submarine cables. They are no more than four companies.
Furthermore, the sources pointed out that the implementation of submarine cables would be shared between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and would require several security approvals and permits to enter regional and international waters.
An official at the ministry of electricity revealed that the length of the new track sent by Saudi Arabia to Egypt is 25km, and the length of the old track was 16km, adding: “The cost of implementing the track will increase by at least 30%.”
He explained that the drop point of the line before the amendment was in Sharm El-Sheikh, and the new point will be determined through the submarine survey. All these issues will be resolved before the end of this year, according to him.
Last week, Egypt received the new electricity grid project track with Saudi Arabia after adjusting the main route to implement the Neom project.
First secretary at the ministry, Sabah Meshali, told Daily News Egypt that the track of the air line and the landing point were both adjusted at the Gulf of Aqaba.
The investments of the electrical connection project between Egypt and Saudi Arabia is estimated to be $1.6bn, as the Saudi side accounts for $1bn, and each country would bear the costs of the work carried out on its land. The project aims to exchange 3,000MW according to the peak time in both countries.
In a related context, he stressed that the trial operation of the electrical connection project with Sudan was delayed indefinitely due to the events in Khartoum. However, a delegation was sent to Sudan to review the technical side of the project.
