GGC countries to sign power exchange pact

The six countries of the Gulf region will enter into a power exchange agreement tomorrow, an official of Gulf Cooperation Council's Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) has said.      

The six nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE and Oman will sign an inter-GCC power exchange agreement in Saudi Arabia's eastern city of Khobar tomorrow, GCCIA Chairman Yousef Al-Janahi told Kuwaiti news agency KUNA today.      

"GCCIA aims to serve as an accredited electricity operator which plays a vital role in reviving economies of member countries. The agreement would be the doctrine that governs electricity exchange among the countries of the GCC," Al-Janahi said.      

He said that this month will witness operating phase of one power project that links networks of Bahrain, Saudi, Qatar and Kuwait.      

There are also plans to connect UAE's Sall power station with Saudi Arabia's Salwa power station through a wireless network which will be operational in 2011.      

Al-Janahi said that GCCIA is aiming at hiring qualified personnel to run the power transfer station and the main operating centre.