Hitachi Energy has been commissioned to construct three high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations, which are a cornerstone for the 3,000 megawatt (MW), 500 kilovolt (kV) HVDC Classic interconnection project linking Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
The unique multi-terminal design of this interconnection allows for bidirectional electricity transmission among the three converter stations situated in Medina and Tabuk within Saudi Arabia, and Badr in Egypt. Spanning approximately 1,000 kilometers, this advanced system facilitates uninterrupted power exchange, elevating both flexibility and reliability of the grid, thereby securing energy supply for the two nations.
Both the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) and the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) stand to gain considerable advantages from this collaboration. Among the benefits are enhanced grid resilience, fortified power supply security, improved efficiency in their power generation, and the ability to balance power peaks by trading surplus electricity.
With a legacy stretching back nearly seven decades, Hitachi Energy is a trailblazer in HVDC technology, responsible for over half of the global HVDC projects. Their expertise is further demonstrated by the successful delivery of other large-scale HVDC Classic multi-terminal systems, including the North-East Agra project in India and the Quebec-New England interconnection in North America, both featuring bi-directional power flows.
