Electricity linkage with Sudan starts experimental operation

CAIRO - 12 January 2020: Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy announced that electricity linkage with Sudan started experimental operation on Sunday and that if it goes well in the next 24 hours, the project will be officially launched in a ceremony by the end of this week.

The capacity of the first phase being operated is 50 megawatts. The Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company has completed the construction of the 300-megawatt electrical connection line with Sudan. The extension of Toshky transmission plant, which is a double circuit transmission line stretching over 170 kilometers with a capacity of 220/66 kV, has been established and linked with Sudan’s Wadi Halfa in collaboration with Siemens. The first phase of the linkage was due to enter service in March but has been delayed.

Chairperson of the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Co. (EETC) Sabah Mashaly indicated in a press release in February that the cost of the project is LE32, 550, 000 and €562500. The statement explained that the network consists of air-insulated substations (AIS) to inhibit power loss. The amount of electricity to be transmitted is estimated to be 400 megawatts.

An official from the Ministry of Electricity pointed out that the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Co. finished the overhead power lines in a record time of less than six months, revealing that experts from both countries are exchanging visits to accelerate the final works in the project.

The following phases will enter service gradually in tandem with the rate of accomplishment on the Sudanese side, a source at the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy told Egypt Today.