In this article, the authors explores how High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) technology is enabling the Middle East to meet its ambitious renewable energy and net-zero targets. Countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are investing heavily in HVDC to ensure efficient, long-distance transmission of renewable energy while powering offshore facilities and industrial loads. Yousaf highlights landmark projects such as Saudi Arabia’s NEOM–Yanbu HVDC system and the UAE’s Lightning Project, which represent some of the most advanced deployments in the world. These projects illustrate how HVDC reduces reliance on carbon-intensive power sources while enhancing transmission capacity.

A significant focus of the article is cross-border integration, exemplified by the Saudi–Egypt HVDC interconnection, the first large-scale cross-border project in the MENA region. Such initiatives not only improve regional energy security but also lay the groundwork for a future “super grid” connecting the Middle East with India and Europe under initiatives like One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG). The article concludes that HVDC technology is more than an engineering advancement, it is a strategic enabler of regional cooperation, decarbonization, and economic diversification, positioning the Middle East at the center of global energy transition efforts.

Follow this link to learn more: The Middle East’s Strategic Shift to Renewable Energy: The Role of HVDC Technology

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