Qatar and Bahrain inaugurate GCC Grid

The GCC Interconnection Grid is intended to prevent power outages.

 In a move that marks the inaugural use of the GCC Interconnection Grid, Qatar has agreed to supply neighbouring Bahrain with 150MW of electricity. In accordance to a deal signed by the two countries last week, Qatar will make the additional electricity available between the hours of 3pm and 5pm, reported the Saudi News Agency.

The deal was announced and executed in collaboration with the GCC Power Grid Authority, also known as the GCC Interconnection Authority.

It comes in the wake of reported power outage in Bahrain on August 29, writes the Saudi News Agency.

The first phase of the GCC Interconnection Grid was completed in 2009 and links Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar. In 2011, the UAE and Oman will be added to the grid.

The purpose of the grid is to alleviate power shortages in GCC member states by transferring electricity between the countries, and pave the way for a regional energy market.

GCC countries are struggling to keep pace with the rapidly expanding demand for electricity, and to contain peak loads in the summer months in particular.

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