By: TPA News Desk | editor@thepointafricanews.com

India is embarking on a monumental infrastructure project, committing over ₹90,000 crore (approximately $10.5 billion USD) to develop two extensive undersea power transmission cables aimed at exporting electricity to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This ambitious initiative marks a pivotal step in India’s strategy to become a leading global exporter of green energy and significantly enhance regional energy security.

The bold plan involves the construction of a 1,700-kilometer subsea cable connecting India to Saudi Arabia, with an estimated cost of ₹47,000 crore. Simultaneously, a 1,400-kilometer cable is slated for the UAE, projected to cost around ₹43,000 crore. Each of these high-capacity corridors will be designed to transmit 2 gigawatts (GW) of electricity, demonstrating India’s capability and commitment to cross-border power supply.

Indian Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar recently confirmed these developments, revealing that joint venture agreements have already been formalized with both Gulf nations. This move aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “One Sun One World One Grid” (OSOWOG) vision, which aims to create a globally interconnected renewable energy network, leveraging diverse time zones to ensure continuous clean energy availability.

The strategic importance of these undersea links extends beyond mere power transmission. They are expected to bolster energy security in the region, foster greater economic cooperation, and integrate India more deeply into the Middle East’s energy markets. For India, it represents a shift from being primarily an energy importer to a significant energy exporter, particularly of surplus renewable energy.

While the substantial investment and technical complexity of laying such long high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables across the Arabian Sea present significant engineering and logistical challenges, the projects are anticipated to take approximately six years to complete once all regulatory and technical approvals are secured. This initiative not only underscores India’s rapidly growing renewable energy capacity but also its diplomatic resolve to forge stronger energy partnerships in a decarbonizing world.