Latest news with #GCCIA
Zawya
7 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman to study electrical interconnection with Yemen, Iran
Oman is studying grid interconnections with Yemen and Oman, according to local media reports. Iran and Oman signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 27 May 2025 to review the feasibility study for an electrical interconnection project during the official visit of the Iranian President to the Sultanate. A techno-economic feasibility study on connecting Iran and Oman through HVDC cables was conducted by Monenco Iran Consulting Engineers in 2018 but was not pursued. Meanwhile, local English language newspaper Oman Daily Observer reported on Wednesday that Monenco has been awarded a feasibility study contract for the Oman-Yemen interconnection project by the Sultanate's national grid operator Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC). A second interconnection between Oman and UAE as part of the regional GCCIA grid is in the design stage, according to the report. (Writing by Sowmya Sundar; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
Observer
28-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman-Yemen power grid interconnection under study
MUSCAT: Well-known international energy sector engineering services consultancy firm Monenco has announced that it has secured a contract from Omani authorities to study the feasibility of interconnecting the power grids of Oman and Yemen. The client is Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC), the majority state-owner and operator of the Sultanate's national grid. OETC – part of Nama Group – also manages interconnectivity with the grids of neighbouring countries via the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA), a joint initiative by member states of the GCC to support electricity exchanges. 'We're proud to announce that Monenco Oman has been awarded the highly strategic Oman–Yemen Power Grid Interconnection Project by Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC) under Tender No. 15/2025,' Monenco noted in a recent post. 'Monenco will be responsible for delivering the feasibility study, engineering services, and full supervision during implementation up to successful energization. This project is a major step toward enhancing energy security and fostering regional power connectivity across the Arabian Peninsula and the wider GCC region,' the company further added. The initiative aligns with an ongoing bid by Oman to explore grid interconnectivity with all of its neighbours with which it shares a land border, as well as with Iran across the Strait of Hormuz. On Tuesday, the Sultanate signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iran to review a feasibility study of a grid interconnection project between the two countries. The MoU was among 18 cooperation pacts inked by the two countries during the official visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Muscat. Signing on behalf of Oman was Eng Salim bin Nasser al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, while Iran was represented by Seyed Mohammad Atabak, Minister of Industry, Mining, and Trade. Meanwhile, linkages between Oman and the GCCIA network continue to expand and strengthen. According to OETC, a new 400kV direct transmission line between Oman and the GCCIA network is currently in the design stage. 'This new line will establish a vital link between the OETC Ibri IPP and the Silaa grid stations (in the UAE), with the project scheduled for completion in Q1 2027. The interconnection will enhance the reliability and resilience of the transmission system by increasing the total transfer capacity between Oman and the GCCIA networks to 1,700MW, strengthening regional grid integration, supporting the energy transition and improving energy security,' OETC affirmed in its recently published Transmission Capability Statement. As part of the new direct link GCCIA will build and own a new 400kV grid station at Ibri, not far from the existing Ibri IPP grid station. This new Ibri GCCIA 400kV grid station will be connected to the Silaa 400kV grid station owned by GCCIA with total overhead-line length of about 528 km (88.2 km from Ibri GCCIA 400kV to the border and 470 km from the border to Silaa and introducing a middle point station at UAE). Importantly, the new direct link builds on an existing interconnection between Oman and the GCCIA network, which has been operational since November 2011. It connects Mahadha grid station at Al Wasit in Oman with the Al Oha grid station at Al Ain in the UAE. In 2024, Oman exported 775,637.38 megawatt-hours (MWh) and imported 63,948.41 MWh through the existing GCCIA interconnection, 'reflecting a robust interconnection and mutual support within the region's energy sector,' OETC remarked.
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority joins Utilities for Net Zero Alliance
The Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) has officially joined the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance (UNEZA), marking a significant milestone in its commitment to environmental sustainability and regional energy transformation. This strategic move aligns with GCCIA's long-term vision of fostering a resilient, interconnected, and low-carbon power network across the Gulf region. Ahmed Al-Ebrahim, CEO of GCCIA, stated, 'Joining UNEZA reflects GCCIA's unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable energy development. Our participation reinforces our regional leadership in advancing clean energy initiatives and underscores our role in building a climate-resilient future for the Gulf.' UNEZA, established during COP28 under the guidance of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, is a global alliance of leading utilities and energy companies dedicated to accelerating the energy transition. The alliance aims to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030, with a collective goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. With over 50 member organisations, UNEZA represents a combined market capitalisation nearing US$1 trillion and serves more than 340 million customers worldwide. The alliance focuses on key areas such as de-risking supply chains, facilitating policy and regulatory support, and mobilising capital to modernise grid infrastructure and support the integration of renewable energy sources. Demonstrating its proactive approach, GCCIA has participated in UNEZA's working group meetings, contributing to discussions on enhancing grid resilience, integrating renewable energy, and addressing sector-wide challenges. This involvement underscores GCCIA's dedication to collaborative international efforts aimed at achieving a sustainable energy future. GCCIA's membership in UNEZA is a testament to its strategic objectives of promoting environmental sustainability and enhancing the Gulf region's energy infrastructure. By engaging with UNEZA, GCCIA reinforces its role in facilitating the transition to a low-carbon economy through regional cooperation, innovation, and advanced energy technologies. This partnership enables GCCIA to collaborate with global leaders in the energy sector, exchange best practices, and implement robust solutions that enhance power systems' reliability, efficiency, and sustainability. It also positions GCCIA as a key regional contributor to the global efforts in combating climate change and achieving net-zero emissions.
Web Release
06-05-2025
- Business
- Web Release
GCCIA Concludes AI Forum in Kuwait with In-Depth Discussions on Enhancing Power Grid Efficiency
The Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA), concluded its two-day regional forum held on April 29–30, 2025, under the theme: 'Empowering the Future Grid: Exploring the Application of Generative AI in GCC Power Systems,' which took place in Kuwait City. The event brought together a distinguished group of global technology leaders, including GCCIA, the Saudi Electricity Company, ENOWA (NEOM's Energy and Water Company), GCC energy authorities and utilities, as well as Microsoft, NVIDIA, Oracle, and EPRI Gulf (Electric Power Research Institute), alongside representatives from GCC member states, speakers from major global tech firms, and energy sector experts from across the Gulf region. The first day of the forum featured intensive technical discussions on the transformative potential of generative AI in grid planning, operational optimization, and data-driven asset management. Sessions showcased global AI models and platforms such as Copilot, Open Power AI, digital twins, and GPU-accelerated computing, all aimed at accelerating complex analytics and improving the responsiveness of power networks. Discussions focused on real-world applications of generative AI in grid planning, operations, cybersecurity, and asset management. The forum also introduced the Open Power AI Consortium (OPAI), a global initiative launched by EPRI to foster cross-sector collaboration in developing, testing, and validating AI models for the energy sector. With over 40 members from the U.S., Europe, the Gulf and other utilities and technology companies, OPAI represents a unified effort to accelerate the digital transformation of power systems worldwide. On the second day, the forum shifted focus to the real-world implementation of these technologies within operational utility environments. Participants explored practical applications such as integrating AI copilots into daily workflows, detecting electric vehicle usage patterns, identifying billing anomalies, and conducting real-time sentiment analysis for customer service—all while maintaining full data privacy through internally deployed AI models. Further discussions addressed the reliability of AI models, the efficiency of GPU-based computing, and long-term planning using climate data. Attendees called for environmentally aligned adoption strategies and clear performance indicators to monitor AI impact and ensure its sustainability across power systems. In his remarks, Eng. Ahmed Al Ebrahim, CEO of GCCIA, stated: 'We are gathered at a time when the energy sector is evolving into a more intelligent and complex ecosystem. We must reimagine our power grids as dynamic, integrated platforms. Generative AI is no longer a luxury—it is a strategic imperative that enables us to build more agile, efficient, and intelligent power systems. It opens up new frontiers for regional integration, global interconnection, loss reduction, and operational excellence.' He added: 'This forum marks only the beginning of a collective journey. Our goal is to translate technological potential into tangible operational solutions. By fostering deep collaboration between utilities and tech innovators, we can advance from pilot initiatives to fully autonomous grid operations and maintenance. The road ahead is wide open, and the possibilities for AI in the energy sector are limitless.' Throughout the forum, Gulf energy utility representatives engaged in constructive dialogue, sharing case studies that demonstrated measurable improvements in grid efficiency and technical loss reduction enabled by AI. Insights were also drawn from global lessons, including findings that only 35% of organizations feel confident in their infrastructure's readiness to support AI—underscoring the importance of strategic planning and smart investment in digital capabilities. Electricity losses in GCC transmission and distribution networks remain among the lowest globally—just around 5%—positioning the region as an ideal testing ground for strategic AI integration aimed at boosting system reliability, performance, and energy management. Through this forum, GCCIA reaffirmed its commitment to leading digital transformation efforts in the power sector, strengthening regional cooperation, and building a smarter, more sustainable and efficient energy future—cementing the GCC's position as a global model for advanced power systems.
Mid East Info
05-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
GCCIA Concludes AI Forum in Kuwait with In-Depth Discussions on Enhancing Power Grid Efficiency - Middle East Business News and Information
Electricity losses in Gulf transmission and distribution networks among the lowest globally, averaging around 5% Kuwait City, Kuwait,May 2025: The Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA), concluded its two-day regional forum held on April 29–30, 2025, under the theme: 'Empowering the Future Grid: Exploring the Application of Generative AI in GCC Power Systems,' which took place in Kuwait City. The event brought together a distinguished group of global technology leaders, including GCCIA, the Saudi Electricity Company, ENOWA (NEOM's Energy and Water Company), GCC energy authorities and utilities, as well as Microsoft, NVIDIA, Oracle, and EPRI Gulf (Electric Power Research Institute), alongside representatives from GCC member states, speakers from major global tech firms, and energy sector experts from across the Gulf region. The first day of the forum featured intensive technical discussions on the transformative potential of generative AI in grid planning, operational optimization, and data-driven asset management. Sessions showcased global AI models and platforms such as Copilot, Open Power AI, digital twins, and GPU-accelerated computing, all aimed at accelerating complex analytics and improving the responsiveness of power networks. Discussions focused on real-world applications of generative AI in grid planning, operations, cybersecurity, and asset management. The forum also introduced the Open Power AI Consortium (OPAI), a global initiative launched by EPRI to foster cross-sector collaboration in developing, testing, and validating AI models for the energy sector. With over 40 members from the U.S., Europe, the Gulf and other utilities and technology companies, OPAI represents a unified effort to accelerate the digital transformation of power systems worldwide. On the second day, the forum shifted focus to the real-world implementation of these technologies within operational utility environments. Participants explored practical applications such as integrating AI copilots into daily workflows, detecting electric vehicle usage patterns, identifying billing anomalies, and conducting real-time sentiment analysis for customer service—all while maintaining full data privacy through internally deployed AI models. Further discussions addressed the reliability of AI models, the efficiency of GPU-based computing, and long-term planning using climate data. Attendees called for environmentally aligned adoption strategies and clear performance indicators to monitor AI impact and ensure its sustainability across power systems. In his remarks, Eng. Ahmed Al Ebrahim, CEO of GCCIA, stated: 'We are gathered at a time when the energy sector is evolving into a more intelligent and complex ecosystem. We must reimagine our power grids as dynamic, integrated platforms. Generative AI is no longer a luxury—it is a strategic imperative that enables us to build more agile, efficient, and intelligent power systems. It opens up new frontiers for regional integration, global interconnection, loss reduction, and operational excellence.' He added: 'This forum marks only the beginning of a collective journey. Our goal is to translate technological potential into tangible operational solutions. By fostering deep collaboration between utilities and tech innovators, we can advance from pilot initiatives to fully autonomous grid operations and maintenance. The road ahead is wide open, and the possibilities for AI in the energy sector are limitless.' Throughout the forum, Gulf energy utility representatives engaged in constructive dialogue, sharing case studies that demonstrated measurable improvements in grid efficiency and technical loss reduction enabled by AI. Insights were also drawn from global lessons, including findings that only 35% of organizations feel confident in their infrastructure's readiness to support AI—underscoring the importance of strategic planning and smart investment in digital capabilities. Electricity losses in GCC transmission and distribution networks remain among the lowest globally—just around 5%—positioning the region as an ideal testing ground for strategic AI integration aimed at boosting system reliability, performance, and energy management. Through this forum, GCCIA reaffirmed its commitment to leading digital transformation efforts in the power sector, strengthening regional cooperation, and building a smarter, more sustainable and efficient energy future—cementing the GCC's position as a global model for advanced power systems.
