Regional center in Egypt to coordinate the Arab electricity network

The Egyptian minister of electricity and energy Hassan Younis said yesterday that it was decided to establish a regional center in Egypt in order to coordinate among the electricity networking in the Arab states which are linked to one electricity grid.

The Middle East News Agency quoted Younis as saying in a report he handed over yesterday to the Egyptian prime minister Atef Ebeid that the center will control and coordinate among electricity networking in the Arab "Orient" States, including Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq and in the Arab "Maghreb," including Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco.

Younis added that Egypt was chosen as a headquarters for this center due to Egypt's geographical location and the availability of greater expertise for operating a greater electricity system and controlling of electricity network in the region."

Younis indicated in his report that the center will contribute to the foundation of a market to exchange energy between the electricity grid linked states, and to define prices of using the electricity transfer network among these states.