INTERCONNECTION PROJECT

The Interconnection Project

The GCC Interconnection Grid shall be developed in three (3) phases, namely:

 

Phase I:            Interconnection of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar.  This system is the GCC North Grid.

 

Phase II:           Interconnection of the Independent systems in the UAE as well as Oman.  This is the GCC South Grid. GCCIA is not involved in the execution of Phase II.

 

Phase III:          Interconnection of the GCC South Grid with the GCC North Grid.  This phase completes the interconnection of the six (6) Gulf States.

 

Phase I: The GCC North Grid

Phase I of the GCC Interconnection shall link the networks of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar.  The system components of Phase I include the following:

  • A double-circuit 400 kV, 50Hz line from Al Zour (Kuwait) to Ghunan (Saudi Arabia) with an intermediate connection at AlFadhili (Saudi Arabia) and associated substations.

  • A back-to-back HVDC interconnection to the Saudi Arabia 380 kV, 60Hz system at Fadhili.  Saudi Arabia is thE only country in the Gulf with a system frequency of 60 Hz.

  • A double circuit 400 kV comprising overhead lines and submarine link from Ghunan to Al-Jasra (Bahrain) and associated substations.

  • A Control Center located at Ghunan and is to be linked with each member country’s national control center and shall:

1.      Assure the security of the interconnection and the member systems;

2.      Control the access to the interconnection;

3.      Perform frequency and interchange regulation;

4.      Coordinate the operation of the interconnection;

5.      Perform transaction recording and billing.

 

Phase II – The GCC South Grid

Phase II consists of the integration of the isolated networks of the United Arab Emirates as well as the isolated system of Oman. This combined system is the GCC South Grid.  GCCIA is not involved in the execution of phase II.

 

Phase III: North-South Grids: The GCC Interconnection

Phase III of the GCC interconnection shall link the networks of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar (North Grid) and the United Arab Emirates and Oman (South Grid). 

The system components of Phase III includes:

  • A double circuit 400 kV line from Salwa to Shuwaihat (UAE) and associated substations.

  • A double circuit 220 kV from Al Ouhah (UAE) to Al Waseet (oman) and associated substations.

  • A single circuit 220 kV line from Al Ouhah (UAE) to Al Waseet (Oman) and associated substations.

 

Geographic Map (GCC Grid Geographic Map)

 

Electrical Map