However, work is underway to implement the project, which would facilitate power exchange between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Shaker said in a seminar held by the National Press Authority (NPA) in the presence of senior media professionals and officials from the Ministry of Electricity on Sunday.

According to Shaker, Egypt has become a pivotal hub for power linkage. He added that the country is studying electricity linkage with  Sudan and Libya and boosting the capacity of power interconnection between Egypt and Jordan.

Shaker added that multiple joint meetings are also held to discuss power linkage with Greece and Europe through Italy's power linkage with Greece and with Europe, Shaker said.

According to officials, Egypt, a country with an electricity surplus of more than 25 percent, seeks to act as a regional electricity hub, exchanging electricity with nearby countries and exporting electricity.

As for the interconnection project with Saudi Arabia, Shaker said early this year that around 87 percent of the aerial power line stretching between Badr and Taba was completed.

Despite global challenges and the current disruption in the supply chain, efforts are underway to complete the first 1,500 megawatts by May 2025 and another 500 megawatts by November 2025.

In October, Egypt and Saudi Arabia awarded contracts to EETC and Saudi Electricity Company for the implementation of the project to link their power grids and allow the gradual exchange of up to 3,000 megawatts of electricity at a value of $1.8 billion.

During the seminar, Chairman of Egypt's NPA Abdel-Sadek El-Shorbagy praised the outstanding progress that Egypt has made in the fields of electricity and renewable energy since President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi assumed office. He also acknowledged the efforts of Minister Shaker since he took over as the Minister of Electricity.

Towards the end of the seminar, El-Shorbagy presented the NPA's shield to Shaker as a token of appreciation for his contributions.