Muscat – February 13, 2025: Under the patronage of His Excellency Engineer Salim Al
\nAufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals of the Sultanate of Oman, the Gulf Cooperation
\nCouncil Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) and the Qatar Development Fund (QDF)
\nformalized their partnership in a landmark financing agreement. This agreement
\npaves the way for a transformative direct grid connection project linking the GCCIA
\nnetwork with the Sultanate of Oman. The auspicious signing ceremony was graced by
\nthe presence of His Excellency Mohsin Al Hadhrami, Undersecretary of the Ministry
\nof Energy and Minerals and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the GCCIA, and His
\nExcellency Sheikh Mubarak bin Fahad Al Thani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to
\nthe Sultanate of Oman.
\nThe agreement was duly executed by His Excellency Eng. Ahmed Ali Al-Ebrahim, CEO,
\non behalf of the GCCIA, and by His Excellency Fahad Hamad Al Sulaiti, Director
\nGeneral, on behalf of the Qatar Fund for Development, during a ceremony held today
\nin Muscat.
\nThe project involves the construction of two 400 kV overhead transmission lines
\nconnecting the GCCIA's Al Sila station in the United Arab Emirates to the Ibri station,
\nwhich the GCCIA will construct in the Sultanate of Oman. The total length of the lines
\nwill be 530 kilometers. The project also includes the construction of two 400 kV
\nsubstations, one in Ibri and the other in Al Baynunah. These substations will be
\nequipped with advanced control, protection, and communication systems to ensure
\nreliability, efficiency, and safety. A dynamic compensator station will also be installed
\nto bolster grid stability and increase transmission capacity. This interconnection
\nproject will provide a total transmission capacity of 1,700 MW, with a net transfer
\ncapacity of 1,200 MW.
\nThis project marks a pivotal stride toward the seamless integration of Gulf power
\ngrids, a vital strategic initiative designed to fortify regional energy network
\nconnectivity and bolster the reliability and sustainability of the region's electricity
\nsystems. It resonates with global imperatives for energy infrastructure development
\nand the pursuit of sustainable development goals.
\nThis project promises a wealth of advantages for both the Sultanate of Oman and the
\nGCC nations. By unlocking hundreds of megawatts of additional generation capacity,<\/p>\n
it significantly reduces the imperative for costly new power plant construction.
\nFurthermore, it will streamline and amplify electricity exchange between the GCC
\ncountries and Oman, fostering greater flexibility and resilience within regional power
\nsystems. Operational costs will also see a marked decrease, as the interconnected
\nnetwork reduces the operational expenditures of participating nations, leading to
\nsubstantial annual financial savings. Critically, this initiative will contribute
\nsignificantly to the reduction of carbon emissions, directly supporting global
\nenvironmental conservation efforts.
\nHis Excellency Engineer Salim Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, underscored
\nthe strategic significance of this agreement, positioning it as a key element within the
\nframework of Gulf integration policies in the energy sector. He highlighted the
\nproject's role in bolstering energy security and sustainability, noting its synergy with
\nGCC initiatives to develop a high-performing and dependable energy infrastructure.
\nHis Excellency lauded the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority
\n(GCCIA) as a driving force behind the implementation of collaborative
\ninterconnection strategies. He stressed that this project will not only strengthen the
\nresilience of regional power grids but also pave the way for fully integrated energy
\nmarkets across the GCC. He further acknowledged the Qatar Development Fund's
\ncontribution, highlighting the crucial role of such partnerships in funding vital energy
\nprojects that are essential for sustainable development and a more resilient regional
\nelectricity system.
\nHis Excellency Mohsen bin Hamad Al Hadrami, Undersecretary of the Ministry of
\nEnergy and Minerals and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Gulf Cooperation
\nCouncil Interconnection Authority (GCCIA), affirmed that the electrical
\ninterconnection project stands as a cornerstone among the vital infrastructure
\ninitiatives endorsed by the leaders of the GCC states. Launched in 2009, the shared
\nGulf network has seamlessly connected the electricity systems of the GCC nations. Its
\ncore mission has been to ensure the uninterrupted flow of energy for GCC states,
\nachieving peak levels of reliability, dependability, and efficiency.
\nThe GCCIA's interconnection network has proven its mettle, preventing over 2,800
\nelectrical outages in member states through the instantaneous transmission of
\nrequired power across the interconnection network. Since the commencement of
\noperations, the network has been a bulwark against power disruptions.
\nHis Excellency further stated that the GCCIA is committed to ensuring that the
\nelectrical interconnection network keeps pace with the growing demands of power
\ngrids across all GCC member states. To this end, the Authority has prioritized the<\/p>\n
expansion and modernization of electrical linkages both within and between member
\nstates, culminating in the implementation of several key network expansion projects,
\nincluding the direct connection with the Sultanate of Oman. These endeavors will
\naugment the capacity of the GCC-wide electrical interconnection network, thereby
\nbolstering the ability of member states to manage power contingencies.
\nAl Hadhrami further emphasized that this project constitutes a strategic step towards
\nthe integration of Gulf energy networks. Moreover, it serves as a vital strategic
\ninitiative aimed at strengthening the integration of regional energy networks,
\nenhancing the reliability and sustainability of electricity systems across the region,
\nand responding to global trends that advocate for the development of energy
\ninfrastructure and the pursuit of sustainable development goals.
\nH.E Eng. Ahmed Al-Ebrahim, CEO of the GCCIA, highlighted the project's
\ntransformative potential, noting that its construction is slated to begin in the second
\nhalf of 2025, with commissioning planned for the first half of 2027. He emphasized
\nthat it will significantly bolster grid stability, reducing the disruptive effects of major
\noutages and ensuring uninterrupted power supply under various conditions. "This
\nproject is not only about meeting current demands but also about preparing for the
\nfuture," he explained. "It will enable our networks to handle increasing loads and
\nsupport future expansion, while also seamlessly integrating renewable energy
\nsources like solar and wind power, aligning with the GCC's environmental vision.
\nFurthermore, it will significantly increase the volume of energy exchange and trade
\namong GCC nations, opening up opportunities for electricity trade, particularly for
\nthe Sultanate, with the Republic of Iraq."
\nHe further emphasized that this financing agreement solidifies the strong partnership
\nbetween the Authority and the Fund as they jointly pursue the expansion of the
\nelectrical interconnection network, building upon the foundation laid by the South
\nIraq connection project. Three landmark projects are in progress to forge stronger
\nlinks with Kuwait, the UAE, and Oman, representing a combined investment
\nexceeding one billion US dollars.
\nAl-Ebrahim celebrated the productive collaboration between the Authority and the
\nFund, recognizing its pivotal role in financing essential infrastructure projects
\nthroughout the GCC, thereby advancing the shared vision of sustainable
\ndevelopment.
\nFahad Hamad Al Sulaiti, General Manager of the Qatar Development Fund,
\nhighlighted the agreement as a testament to the Fund's commitment to driving
\neconomic growth in Arab and developing countries through targeted financing and<\/p>\n
loans for development initiatives. Rooted in a shared understanding of regional
\ncooperation's vital role, this initiative recognizes energy as a linchpin of stability and
\nsocio-economic advancement.
\nThis project embodies the Qatar Development Fund's enduring dedication to forging
\nregional partnerships and spearheading sustainable development efforts, paving the
\nway for a brighter future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Muscat – February 13, 2025: Under the patronage of His Excellency Engineer Salim Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals of the Sultanate of Oman, the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) and the Qatar Development Fund (QDF) formalized their partnership in a landmark financing agreement. This agreement paves the way for a transformative direct …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9100,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9099","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy"],"yoast_head":"\n