Egypt and Saudi Arabia have completed 95 per cent of construction on their USD1.8 billion high-voltage direct current (HVDC) interconnection project, with the first phase expected to be commissioned by the end of 2025 or early 2026 with final testing underway at the 500 kV Badr converter station.
The project comprises a ±500 kV, 3,000 MW HVDC system spanning the Gulf of Aqaba and connecting Badr substation in Egypt to Madinah East substation in Saudi Arabia through the new Tabuk converter station. The link includes 23 km of submarine cables and 1,300 km of overhead lines—965 km in Saudi Arabia and 335 km in Egypt—supported by 862 transmission towers. The project aims to enhance cross-border electricity exchange, improve grid stability, and optimise generation resources in both countries. Hitachi Energy is implementing the HVDC converter stations in partnership with local contractors, while AtkinsRéalis is providing project management and engineering services.