Could another MENA sub-sea cable project be underway?
KSA and India eye possible renewable energy grid connection via sub-sea cable: KSA and India are said to be exploring the commercial viability of creating a linked renewable energy grid via sub-sea cable, according to an article published on Friday in India’s Economic Times, citing sources close to the matter. The topic was slated to take center stage in discussions during KSA’s energy minister Abdulaziz bin Salman visit to New Delhi last Friday ahead of Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman’s visit to India next month.
A two-way power flow to address renewables intermittency: The project could see a cable run from India’s Gujarat coast to the UAE’s Fujairah (covering some 1.6k km), or even across Oman (covering some 1.2k km), the article notes. “The plan is to have bi-directional flow of power in 15-minute blocks,” Economic Times quotes a power transmission company CEO saying. “Interconnections will solve the intermittency issue associated with wind or solar energy.”
It could cost USD 15-18 bn: The project’s costs could go for USD 15-18 bn, Economic Times notes. But with no information given about its potential generation capacity, we don’t know how these figures were calculated, while sources noted they “aren’t final.” A 3 GW sub-sea cable project alone would require capex of USD 5 bn — including the cost of cables and installation — the article notes industry experts saying.
KSA is said to be seeking industry buy-in: KSA’s ambassador to India has reportedly invited Indian companies working in power generation and transmission — including Reliance Industries, Adani, Tata Group, JSW and Sterlite Power — to weigh in on the discussions, Economic Times notes.
Yet another sign that grid connection is gathering steam in MENA: Apart from the Morocco projects noted above, Egypt has been eyeing multiple power linkage projects, including the USD 4 bn, 2 GW EuroAfrica Interconnector with Greece and Cyprus, the EUR 3.5 bn 3 GW Greece-Egypt Interconnector (GREGY), and a possible further 9.5 GW of renewable power for export to Greece.