wiredinUSA July 2013

Saudi Arabia-based power contractor Saudi National Contracting (NCC) has won a contract to build a 132kV overhead transmission line in the governorate of Musandam, Oman. The project, estimated to cost around $98m, is part of a major infrastructure scheme being implemented in the country by the Oman government, reported the Oman Daily Observer. NCC will construct the transmission line from Tibat in Wilayat Bukha to Khasab and extend it a further 80km to reach Dibba. It will supply electricity generated by the governorate's first natural gas-based power plant to be constructed at Tibat. The electricity produced from the approximately 120MW power plant will be supplied to towns and villages in Dibba and Khasab, replacing diesel-based electrical generation for the first time in the governorate. In addition, 132kV grid stations will be constructed at Tibat, Khasab and Dibba. Overhead transmission line in Musandam

Egypt-Saudi power grid deal

An electricity exchange pact signed by Saudi Arabia and Egypt will help the two countriesmeet shortages inpower supply, according to Saudi water and electricity minister Abdullah Al-Hussayen. He was speaking in Riyadh after signing the agreement with his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Mustafa Imam. This is one among several projects for establishing a power grid between Arab countries. Egypt has already linked its power network with Jordan and Syria. “Peak time in Saudi Arabia occurs in the noon and afternoon while in Egypt it starts after sunset,” Al-Hussayen commented, adding that both countries would be able to exchange 3,000 MW during this peak period, which will help them save billions of riyals that would have been spent on building power plants. Speaking about the Arab power grid project, Ahmed Mustafa Imam said it would connect Syria and Lebanon, Egypt and Libya with Maghreb countries, Libya and Tunisia and Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia, and link the Arab world with Europe.

wiredInUSA - July 2013

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