Egypt Plans $240 Mn Wind Power Transmission Line Tender to Boost Grid Capacity

Egypt is preparing to launch an international tender for the construction of a major electricity transmission line linking wind energy projects in the Gulf of Suez to the national grid, with expected investments of around 12 billion Egyptian pounds ($240 million), a government official told Asharq on condition of anonymity.

The planned line will stretch about 390 kilometers and operate at a capacity of 500 kilovolts, making it the largest of its kind in the country. It is designed to connect renewable energy projects under development in the Gulf of Suez—particularly those led by Scatec and Orascom Construction—to Egypt’s national electricity grid.

The project is expected to be completed by mid-2027 and aims to strengthen transmission infrastructure to accommodate growing renewable energy capacity, the official said.

Egypt has been accelerating its renewable energy strategy, with production rising by around 26% in the 2024/2025 fiscal year to reach 8.6 gigawatts, up from 6.8 gigawatts a year earlier. The government is targeting renewables to account for 45% of the electricity mix by 2035.

The new transmission line is also expected to support Egypt’s broader ambition to position itself as a regional hub for clean energy trade and exports, amid expanding cross-border electricity interconnection projects and rising global demand for low-emission power sources.

Cairo is currently advancing a major electricity interconnection project with Saudi Arabia with a total capacity of 3,000 megawatts across two phases. It is also pursuing plans to link grids with Greece and Cyprus to export renewable electricity to Europe.

Also, Egypt is working on exporting electricity to Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon via a new subsea cable through Jordan, initially with a capacity of 2,000 megawatts. The country is also upgrading existing interconnections with Libya, Sudan and Jordan to increase operational capacity.

The official said such projects would enhance Egypt’s ability to absorb and export clean energy, reinforcing its strategic push to become a key regional energy player.