THE MEDITERRANEAN POWER POOL:

The possibility of interconnecting and operating the power systems of the 17 Mediterranean Sea Countries is an interesting challenge so far many electrical connections exist or are under development between two or more neighboring countries, however, a complete formation of an integrated power pool will surely prove beneficial.


THE AFRICAN INTERCONNECTION:

The diversity of the primary sources of energy in Africa encourages the creation of a pan-African electrical interconnection network across the continent; this would be to optimize the use of hydropower resources, in conjunction with thermal generation, particularly in the North and in Southern Africa.

Growing electricity demand throughout Africa has already helped to foster the interconnection of electricity grids in some areas on the continent.
However, there is no unified master plan behind these efforts.


ARAB – MAGHREB COUNTRIES INTERCONNECTION:

The interconnection between Egypt and Libya of 220 KV was completed, and began operation in May 1998 It transfer about 150 MW.

Interconnection between Tunisia , Algeria , Morocco & Spain is completed.

A project to interconnect the power system in Tunisia and Libya, in order to exchange power up to a maximum of 150 in either direction. The construction of 600 km of 220 KV transmission lines, principally in Tunisian territory has been completed and will be energized after fulfilling the UCTE rules.

This will complete the interconnection of Egypt, Libya, Algeria and Morocco.

THE PRESENT AND PLANNED INTERCONNECTIONS ARE:

East Africa

Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania are developing plans to create an East African power pool (EAPP) by connecting their electricity networks. Kenya currently receives power from Uganda’s own falls hydroelectric facility. This power pool can be extended easily to interconnect Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Egypt, the possible hydroelectric sites in Ethiopia/Sudan would complement with own falls and Aswan to provide secure energy supplies to the East African region.

Southern Africa

The Southern African power pool (SAPP) was created in 1995 to connect the 12 countries of the Southern African and development community (SADC) South Africa (ESKOM) and Namibia (Nampower) are constructing a 400 KV transmission line between the Aries substation in South Africa and the Namibian capital of wind hock.

Now the SADC covers 15 countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where huge hydroelectric potential exists at Inga. It has sufficient capacity to supply the northern region, and export remaining surplus to Europe.

The implementation of such interconnections will allow the joint economic utilization of the resources in a coordinated hydro-thermal mix. It will be a multi-purpose interconnection, transmitting bulk hydroelectric power to the centers located in the north and the south economic interchange of energy, between regions, and between countries. It will make available clean low cost hydroelectric power to Europe, through the Mediterranean power pool revenues from exporting electricity to Europe would encourage foreign investors to finance such power project in Africa, and will ensure the payback of the investments. These continued revenues will also help the sustainable development of many African Countries.


Source
NORTH AFRICA Interconnection