Egypt is planning to boost its electricity interconnection capacity to 3.9 GW by the end of 2026, up from 790 MW last year, a government source told EnterpriseAM. The increase will be backed by the completion of multiple regional interconnection projects.

The Egypt-Jordan-Iraq interconnection, which passes through Syria and Lebanon, is expected to reach 550 MW next fiscal year, up from the 500 MW originally planned. Capacity is set to rise to 2.2 GW by the fiscal year 2029-2030 and to 2.7 GW at a later stage. The expansion of this line, along with higher capacities on the Egypt-Jordan line, awaits financing from international institutions to cover equipment costs, according to our source.

REMEMBER- Electricity Minister Mahmoud Esmat said last year that the government was exploring the possibility of exporting electricity to Syria through its interconnection link with Jordan.

The USD 1.8 bn, 3 GW Egypt-Saudi interconnection is also moving ahead, with an Egyptian delegation recently concluding a one-week visit to the Kingdom to review progress, according to our source. Meanwhile, construction is being finalized on the conversion station in Badr City in Egypt, a key pillar of the project, which is expected to enter trial operations this fiscal year. Trial operations of the interconnection were originally slated for April.

The Egypt-Greece Interconnector (GREGY) will add 1 GW to its capacity next year as the first phase of an agreement covering 3-6 GW, according to the source. Esmat has recently met with the head of Greece’s Copelouzos Group — which is implementing the interconnection project — to follow up on the updates and expand cooperation on renewables.

There’s more: Egypt will also boost its interconnection with Libya to 150 MW next year, the source added.

The government aims to cement its position as a regional energy hub through electricity interconnection. Private sector participation will be central, the source said, noting that the private sector has already invested USD 3.6 bn in renewables.

IN OTHER ENERGY-TRADE RELATED NEWS-

Egypt Kuwait Holding plans Saudi gas expansion: The Egypt Kuwait Holding Company (EKH) is looking to expand into Saudi Arabia by supplying gas to the Dammam Third Industrial Zone at an investment cost of SAR 60 mn after clinching a license to do so, Managing Director John Rokk told Asharq Business (watch, runtime: 7:49). The company expects to serve around 30 clients by the end of the year and expand into more zones in the future.

We knew this was coming: It was first announced inMay that Egypt Kuwait Holding was preparing to enter the Saudi oil and gas sector after securing most of the project’s capital expenditures.

About Egypt Kuwait Holding: The company’s portfolio spans energy, petrochemicals, fertilizers, power, and financial services. Among the firms investments in downstream is a stake is NatEnergy, which consolidated NatGas, Fayum Gas, Nubaria, Kahraba and Gas Chill,

according to its website.

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