UAE boost for GCC electricity grid

May 08, 2011 - gulf-times.com

In what is considered to be a major boost to the activities of the GCC Power Grid, a major power station that provides the vital link for the United Arab Emirates to the grid was completed and its trial run was successfully completed on Wednesday.

GCC Inter-Connection grid managing board chairman and Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) president Issa Hilal al-Kuwari said that with the completion of the station located in Sala, UAE would be able to actively associate with the functioning of the grid.

While lauding the completion of the latest power station, the Kahramaa president also expressed the hope that the power exchange and trading between the UAE and other member states would take place smoothly in future.

Issa Hilal al-Kuwari said the completion of the new project would give a considerable boost to the electricity generation and economic activities in the UAE.
Another major advantage for the GCC state would be the smooth and uninterrupted supply of electricity from the UAE to the grid.

The UAE part of the grid involves three electricity circuits, and two power stations of 125MW and nine 400KV sub-stations.

The Kahramaa official also informed that two 110km long overhead lines each having a capacity of 400KV, link Sala station in UAE with Salwa in Saudi Arabia.

Issa Hilal al-Kuwari said the GCC grid is the first major step towards the formation of a much larger grid comprising more areas of the Middle East, Mediterranean and Europe. “This would eventually ensure free and smooth exchange and transfer of power from energy rich states to energy-deficient states,” he said.