The Governments of Egypt and Saudi Arabia have signed a concession contract with the selected consortium for the development of a grid interconnection project between both countries.

The project involves the development of a 900-km long high voltage overhead transmission line (OHTL), which will go through Medina and Tabuk on route to the Gulf of Aqaba. The consortium is formed by Orascom Construction, Hitachi ABB Power Gride, China Energy Engineering Corporation Limited, and Xian Electric Engineering Company Limited

This US$1.8 billion project will allow power exchange of 3 GW power at peak times. The first phase of the transmission line is expected to be operational by 2024 and will have the capacity to exchange 1.5 GW of power.