DOHA: The first phase of the GCC Interconnection Grid -- the GCC North Grid -- was completed yesterday marking a new milestone in the region's power security. With this four GCC countries have successfully ensured continuous power supply for their ever growing population and economy.
The GCC North Grid was completed yesterday morning in Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, a GCC Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) official announced.
"The success of the first phase follows the success of operating the systems of Qatar and Kuwait on July 20 and the success of the operation of the first circuit of the marine cable that connects Bahrain's network with the main network through Qatar and Kuwait," Yousuf bin Ahmad Al Janahi, Chairman, GCCIA and Qatar representative said.
"The second phase will involve connecting the networks of Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to form the GCC South Grid, while the third phase will involve connecting the two grids to form GCC Interconnection Grid."
"The successful linking was part of the Phase I of the GCC Interconnection Grid," said Engineer Ali Jassim Al Najjar, Manager, Electricity Transmission Department, Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA), who is also a GCCIA member. "Doha's south grid working team, supervised by Engineer Isaa Hilal Al Kuwari, showed exceptional performance in the synchronisation of Qatar and Kuwait networks on July 20 and also in linking of Qatar and Bahrain through marine cables on July 21."
Al Najjar added that the completion of the GCC Interconnection Grid was expected to be completed in 2011and would be of good help for the six GCC member states in terms of exchanging electricity to meet their growing needs, utilising their surplus output. The project would reduce the backup electrical producing in each of the Gulf States and would be a base for the exchange of electrical energy among them.
All GCC member states except Oman signed a power sharing agreement earlier this month to facilitate the flow of electricity between their countries. The region's massive oil exports have spurred rapid economic development and a sharp rise in living standards. This has led to a drastic increase in household and industrial electricity consumption. By establishing the power grids, the countries have taken a step to ensure that the electricity needs for long.
The grid's biggest immediate impact would be to lower surplus power capacity needed to guarantee supply. The GCC states have similar consumption patterns, with demand peaking in the summer as air conditioners run hard to counter scorching desert temperatures.
The four-hour time zone difference from the north to the south GCC means that peak load periods will vary and power exchange becomes possible. The countries will be able to reduce capital expenditure on new power plants, ensure greater reliability as well as reducing fuel bills and operation and maintenance costs. The grid will also make power cuts a thing of the past in some of the states.
By Huda NV
© The Peninsula 2009
