The two countries will be linked to the submarine cable through the Arabian Sea. Submarine cables allow grid interconnection at different locations, allowing power resources to be shared and supply and demand can be balanced.
In 2023, both countries signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a cooperation framework in the field of electrical interconnection. Exchange electricity during peak hours and in emergencies; project co-development; co-produce green/clean hydrogen and renewable energy; and establish a safe, reliable and resilient supply chain for materials in the green/clean hydrogen and renewable energy sectors.
Why is the grid connection important
The project has the potential to change India’s status from a net buyer of Saudi oil and culinary natural gas (LPG) to an energy exporter with green power and hydrogen. Saudi Arabia is the third largest source of Indian oil and the largest source of liquefied petroleum gas.
It will mark the first offshore link (OSOWOG) of PM Modi’s “One Sun, One World, One Grid” (Osowog) global grid is primarily green force.
Osowog, proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018 at the first rally of the International Solar Energy Union (ISA), envisioned a globally interconnected grid designed to transfer renewable energy to countries for energy sustainability. The purpose of cross-border grid expansion is to integrate renewable resources such as Solar, Wind and Wind, Wind and Hydro to integrate scopes. By sharing these resources in interconnected grids, countries can better manage supply peaks, improve grid stability and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Currently, India is with its neighbors, including Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar. Neighbors including Sowog carried out about 4,100 megawatts of electricity, based on the principle of “the sun never set”, allowing continuous renewable energy generation across the continent. Since interconnected systems can share backup resources, thus reducing the requirements for total reserves, integration of various border grids will reduce investment costs. India has also negotiated with the UAE, Oman, as well as Singapore and Thailand for grid connectivity.
“The advantage will be that renewable energy will be available 24/7 because they are in different time zones, so the sun always shines in different time zones,” subsequently Power Minister RK Singh told Arab News in an interview in 2023.
“People at different times will be able to say ‘OK, I hope to get renewable energy from Saudi Arabia between this time and this time, or I hope to get renewable energy between this time and this time.’ He said, it’s a different world.”
How will the sea mesh connection work
Subsea power grid connection, also known as subsea power cable, is a specialized cable used to generate power between bodies of water. These are designed to carry underwater high voltage alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power. High voltage DC current (HVDC) cables are commonly used for longer distances where AC transmission efficiency is reduced. Submarine cable installation is a complex and expensive process that requires dedicated ships and personnel.
Connection is an ambitious, technically challenging proposition with consequences that will bring these two economies together. There are 485 submarine cables worldwide, the longest is the 764-kilometer Viking connection between the United Kingdom and Denmark.
There are 485 submarine power cables operating worldwide, the longest being the Viking connection between the UK and Denmark.
A senior official told PTI that the state-owned grid was planning to connect foreign interconnects with Middle Eastern countries to as much as Rs 4,000 crore last year. He explained that the company has a “pull station” near the Arabian Sea in Gujarat, which will also be connected to similar stations along the Middle East coast. He said the high voltage DC cable would extend from the seabed at a speed of up to 2500 MW, adding that it would cost Rs 350,000 crore and would take up to six years to complete.
The grid connection through submarine cables is a decades-old idea. In 2008, India proposed a 500 MW submarine power connection with Sri Lanka throughout Sri Lanka. PowerGrid then fixed its cost at Rs 22,920 crore and said it could be completed within 42 months. However, the proposal was put on hold after the cold foot appeared in Sri Lanka. India is still keen on reviving the project.
(Input with TOI)
