Status of Gulf co-operation council (GCC) electricity grid system interconnection

Recognizing the benefits of interconnection of their power grids, the six Arab states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had a study carried out in 1990 to define an interconnection project and to determine its feasibility. The study recommended an AC interconnection of the 50 Hz systems of Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and Oman with a back-to-back HVDC interconnection to the 60 Hz Saudi Arabian system. The study concluded that the recommended interconnection project for the GCC countries was technically feasible as well as economically and financially viable.