THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
NEW
DELHI, OCTOBER 19, 2026
India and Saudi
Arabia have reviewed the progress of a proposed electrical interconnection
between the two countries and explored avenues to expand cooperation in the
power sector, with a focus on advanced transmission systems, renewable energy
integration and emerging electricity demand.
The discussions took
place during a virtual bilateral meeting between Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary in
the Ministry of Power, and Eng. Nasser Al-Qahtani, Assistant Minister of Energy
for Electricity Affairs of Saudi Arabia, on the India-Saudi Arabia Electrical
Interconnection initiative.
Both sides exchanged
views on the way forward for the proposed interconnection, which is expected to
strengthen bilateral energy cooperation, and stressed the need for sustained
engagement to advance the initiative.
The meeting also explored
opportunities to broaden collaboration in areas of mutual interest, including
technical cooperation, knowledge sharing and the exchange of best practices in
the power sector.
The Saudi Arabian
side expressed interest in enhancing cooperation in extra-high-voltage (EHV)
transmission systems, addressing technical and operational challenges arising
from the growing share of renewable energy in power grids, and developing
strategies to accommodate rising electricity demand from emerging data centres.
The two sides also
discussed updating grid codes to meet evolving power system requirements amid
changes in energy generation, transmission and consumption patterns.
The proposed electrical interconnection forms a key area of bilateral engagement, with the two countries seeking to explore opportunities for closer cooperation in the power sector.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining constructive dialogue and strengthening the India-Saudi Arabia partnership through continued engagement on electricity interconnection and other areas of mutual interest.
