Deputy Governor of the Eastern Region Prince Saud bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz oversaw here today the signing of a contract to implement the project entailing connecting the Gulf electricity market with Iraq. Prince Saud inaugurated the project to upgrade the control center systems of the GCC Interconnection Authority (GCCIA). Attending the event was GCCIA CEO Eng. Ahmed Al-Ebrahim and the Gulf Laboratory CEO Eng. Saleh Al-Omari. Prince Saud also launched the update of the control center systems of the electricity interconnection network, which aims to improve the efficiency and flexibility of electricity systems to be able to face potential challenges. It does so by adopting advanced technologies that provide great protection against cyber-attacks, thus ensuring continuous, safe and efficient operations, contributing to a higher stability of the electricity grid, and enhancing operational capabilities while keeping pace with global transitions toward clean energy. When the project is implemented, it will co ntribute to ensuring sustainable power supply, strengthening the stability of Iraq's electricity grid, reducing reliance on costly traditional energy sources, and utilizing available resources more efficiently. Al-Ebrahim said that the GCC Electrical Interconnection project, launched in 2009, has been among the most important infrastructure linkage initiatives approved by the leaders of the Kingdom and GCC countries, which have accorded it special attention. He added that since the start of the project, there have been no partial or total interruptions of the electricity flow in the GCC countries as immediate support was provided during emergencies by transferring needed power through the interconnected network, which extends for more than 1,000 km from the State of Kuwait to the Sultanate of Oman. The authority has been dealing with more than 2,800 cases that needed support since the start of operations, including more than 50 cases involving renewable energy production. Al-Ebrahim said that the project has contributed to saving some $3.6 billion; the investment and operating costs of the project since its establishment amounted to about $1.5 billion. He said that the contract with Iraq will contribute to higher energy security, and enable the GCC countries to supply Iraq with about 3.94 terawatt-hours per year by 2025, at prices lower than the cost of local production, which will help Iraq reduce public spending. Al-Omari said that under the direct supervision of the Saudi Ministry of Energy, the Gulf Laboratory has succeeded in building one of the largest and most advanced energy laboratories in the world in Dammam's third Industrial City, with an investment of more than SAR1.1 billion. The laboratory conducts testing, consulting, inspection, research and development, and international-level training services in various technical fields, having trained more than 11,000 people in more than 130 international professional certificates and established local and global partnerships with major manufacturers, s ervice providers, universities, and research institutes. The laboratory has also qualified hundreds of local and foreign products imported to and exported from the Kingdom's markets. Source: Saudi Press Agency