A US$3.9 million contract for consultancy services on the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) electricity interconnection project between Egypt and Saudi Arabia has been awarded to SNC-Lavalin’s transmission and distribution (T&D) group.
The contract includes the route selection of the proposed approximate 1,500-km two-pole 500 KV multi-terminal HVDC link; the system and design studies for the link, which would be able to transfer 3,000 MW of power; as well as the preparation of the Request for Proposals for the HVDC stations and lines in both countries.
“We are very excited about expanding our existing transmission and distribution presence and activities in the Middle East with this new interconnection project,” said SNC-Lavalin Group executive VP Patrick Lamarre.
The T&D group has a great deal of experience in high-voltage (AC and DC) network and substation design, with projects all over the world. It is currently completing a similar project for the GCC Interconnection Authority, connecting Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE. It is also carrying out studies and engineering and supervision mandates for 66 kV, 132 kV and 220 kV substations in Bahrain and the UAE.