GCC electricity grid plans to set up a transmission project

Manama: The GCC integrated electricity grid will be fully operational by later next year or early 2012 linking all the Gulf countries, the GCC Interconnection Authority (GCCIA).

The $1.2 billion project linking Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, will make more than 1,200 megawatts of additional power available.

The GCCIA meeting was attended by representatives of all the six GCC (Gulf Cooperation Counci) states, who reviewed the progress made on the grid in the last nine months when its first phase was commissioned.

While the UAE would be linked in the first quarter of next year, Oman will follow a few months later.

The two grids will then be connected, possibly by the end of 2011 or early 2012.

Al-Mohaisen said extensive testing of the commissioned network had ensured it was in excellent condition.

While testing, 1,300mw were transmitted over 10 hours continuously and it passed all stringent measures.