Considering
the central group of the Middle East
countries, we find that positive steps
towards power system interconnection
have actually been taken. The first
step is now being implemented and
includes the construction of a 500
kV transmission line crossing Sinai
from Suez to the town of Taba where
a 500 kV / 400 kV step down substation
is to connect the 400 kV power system
of Jordan at Aqaba. The financing
of the project has been obtained,
the bids from prospective contractors
are being studied and contracts have
been awarded for some of the packages.
It is planned that this interconnection
between Egypt and Jordan will be commissioned
in the year 1997. This interconnection
will eventually permit power transfer
from Egypt to Jordan of the order
of 500 MW.
Egypt / Jordan Link and 5 Countries Interconnection
A feasibility study was carried out
to evaluate the viability of interconnecting
the power systems of the five countries;
Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Turkey.
The study has shown that the interconnection
would be advantageous to all the 5
countries, as it would allow savings
in the reserve generating capacity
at the order 2000 MW on the basis
of reducing the reserve margin, now
kept in each of the five countries,
by 5 percent, in order not to depend
largely on it's neighbours. The study
recommended the use of 400 kV a.c.
for the transmission system rather
than the use of d.c. The 400 kV level
is already adopted in Jordan, Iraq,
and Turkey. That is why the interconnection
with Egypt will be through the 500
kV / 400 kV transformers at Taba.
The total length of the 400kV transmission
lines interconnecting the power systems
across the political boundaries is
estimated to be about 650 km, in addition
to the transmission lines which would
be required to strengthen and complement
the power systems within each one
of the countries. Worthy to mention
that most of the power system in Lebanon
is connected to the power system in
Syria at a lower voltage level. |
