DOHA: The construction of the Al Silaa power station in the UAE has now been completed and it will be linking the UAE electricity network to the GCC power grid as part of the GCC power interconnection project, the GCC Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) said here yesterday.
The GCCIA said the station has been successfully tested and operated in the linkage between the UAE power network and the GCC grid on April 13 and thus the UAE joins the group of countries in Phase 1 of the GCC power grid project which include Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait.
Engineer Essa Hilal Al Kuwari (pictured), GCCIA Board Chairman expressed his appreciation for the achievement that will enable the UAE as the rest of the GCC countries to exchange and trade in electricity with the other interconnected countries starting from summer this year.
This is in addition to the strategic benefits by linking to the GCC power grid in terms of economic and strategic solidarity and cooperation between the GCC countries.
The electricity linkage will also help face the inability to generate power in emergency situations and reduce the electrical generation reserve requirements of individual member countries as well as improve the economic efficiency of the electricity power systems in the GCC and would enhance the economic aspects of the GCC by strengthening the reliability of the electricity supplies, said Al Kuwari.
This will provide a reliable and economical power system for member countries in addition to providing the basis for electricity trade exchange between member countries, Al Kuwari said.
This part of the interconnection grid consist of a 400Kv substation in Al Silaa in the UAE, 110km double overhead lines between Salwa in Saudi Arabia and Al Silaa substation.
© The Peninsula 2011
