• Orascom completes all Egypt-side installations for the HVDC link

• First pole entering service enables 1 500 MW of two-way electricity exchange

• Project strengthens Egypt’s regional energy role amid expansion of renewables

Orascom Construction, which specializes in large-scale infrastructure development, announced on Monday, November 24, that it has reached a major milestone on the electricity interconnection project between Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

The company said it has completed the installation of all equipment under its responsibility on the Egyptian side and confirmed that commissioning operations for the first pole are underway. This pole will enable a 1 500 MW bidirectional exchange and paves the way for the full planned capacity of 3 000 MW between both countries.

The project is based on a high-voltage direct current link extending about 1 000 kilometers between Badr in Egypt and the Tabuk and Medina stations in Saudi Arabia. Hitachi Energy, a development partner, is supplying the three converter stations that will manage electricity flows in both directions.

The interconnection is described as the first major HVDC link connecting Africa and Asia in the region. It will allow continuous energy transfers with control systems capable of adjusting flow direction according to each grid’s needs.

The announcement is part of a wider strategy positioning Egypt at the center of an expanding regional network. The country is pursuing several interconnections to leverage its electricity capacity and reinforce its role as an energy hub. Among the advanced projects is the planned GREGY link, designed to transport renewable electricity from Egypt to Greece.

Egypt plans to significantly increase solar and wind power generation over the next years. The national strategy targets 42 % renewable energy in the electricity mix by 2030. The new interconnection with Saudi Arabia can help absorb these additional volumes and stabilize the grid.