GCC countries witnessed a significant growth in electricity consumption in recent years, with increased electrical energy generated by the rate of increase of an average of about 5.7% annually in years. Saudi Arabia has a production capacity of approximately 150 hours Terawat represent 49% of the total capacity of the six nations, followed by the UAE, which has about 21% of the total energy of the Council.
The project to link three-phase electric completeness supposed end of 2010, the project will contribute to the provision of electricity, a relatively low cost to all States of the Council. The estimated project cost three billion dollars, and its implementation is divided into three phases to be in the first stage, linking Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, and the second is linked to the UAE and Oman, and the third is linked to some of the groups related to the six-nation network connectivity.
Recently, the Department has decided to link the GCC electric power contracts with 6 companies to complete the first phase, which will link the networks of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, which cost will be divided between the amount of one billion dollars to cover these countries Saudi Arabia, 40% of the cost, Kuwait 36.5%, and the rest is divided equally between Qatar Bahrain, is due to expire at the end of this phase in 2008.