In coordination with Saudi Arabia, Egypt will soon launch its electrical interconnection project, a major scheme that will increase grid capacity to 2,000 megawatts, it has been announced.

According to a report by Arab News, citing the Egyptian Minister of Electricity, Mohammed Shaker, a global consultant will undertake studies to adjust the paths of the power lines.

It added that Egypt and Saudi Arabia had signed a co-operation agreement in 2012 to establish the electrical interconnection project. It is set to be the main axis in the Arab electrical linkage, which aims to create an infrastructure for electricity trade between Arab countries.

Speaking on the side lines of the first forum of heads of African investment agencies in Sharm El-Sheikh, Shaker said that the tenders for the implementation of the project have been finalised but the winning company has not yet been announced.

He added that transmission lines between the two countries will be established under the DC (direct current) system, which is the latest in Egypt and the Arab region.