Manama, Dec. 2 (BNA): Ahmed Al Ebrahim, Chief Executive Officer of the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority, said that the GCC summits are essential in promoting economic integration and supporting joint energy projects. He noted that the summit's decisions led to the establishment of the Authority in 2001 and the launch of the first phase of the Electricity Interconnection Project in 2009, creating a unified electrical infrastructure serving the GCC states.
Al Ebrahim said that ongoing cooperation between GCC countries has helped unify energy efficiency policies and promote sustainable use, paving the way for the expansion of renewable energy projects and their integration with national grids, while improving the Gulf system's readiness to face operational and environmental challenges.
He highlighted that the GCC Electricity Interconnection Project has generated economic savings exceeding USD 3 billion since its operation, by reducing reserve generation costs and cutting outages, while supporting grid stability. The Authority has carried out over 2,800 emergency support operations among member states and nearly 50 support operations for renewable energy projects.
Al Ebrahim added that the Authority has entered its largest strategic expansion since its founding, including the interconnection of the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates with funding of USD 850 million, as well as the Al Wafra project in the State of Kuwait, the first major expansion project and a key station to enhance network efficiency and operational reliability.
He emphasised that the Authority's future vision is to transform the GCC electricity interconnection into a regional energy hub connecting Asia, Africa and Europe, enhancing Gulf energy security and contributing to the sustainability of GCC economies.