India-Saudi power grid cooperation is set to expand, with Saudi Arabia seeking greater technical collaboration on extra-high-voltage transmission systems, renewable energy integration and the rising electricity requirements of data centres, India’s power ministry said on Monday.
The issues were discussed during a virtual meeting between India’s power secretary Pankaj Agarwal and Saudi Arabia’s assistant minister of energy for electricity affairs, Nasser Al-Qahtani. The meeting reviewed progress on initiatives related to electrical interconnection between the two countries.
According to the ministry, Saudi Arabia expressed interest in enhanced cooperation on extra-high-voltage electricity transmission systems. These systems generally operate at 220 kV and above and are designed to move large volumes of electricity across long distances while limiting transmission losses.
The discussions also focused on the technical challenges of integrating a higher share of renewable energy into electricity networks. Renewable generation can vary depending on weather and time of day, requiring grid operators to manage changes in supply while maintaining system stability. The ministry did not provide details of any specific project, capacity target or construction timeline arising from the meeting.
The growing electricity demand from data centres was another subject discussed by the two sides. Data centres require continuous and reliable power, making transmission capacity, network stability and operating standards important considerations for electricity planners. The ministry said the discussions examined ways to address these requirements as power demand increases.
The two countries also discussed changes needed in grid codes as electricity systems evolve. Grid codes set out the technical and operational requirements for connecting to and operating on power networks. They govern issues including how generating facilities and other users connect to the grid and how system operators manage network operations.
The meeting forms part of ongoing discussions on a proposed electrical interconnection between India and Saudi Arabia. The power ministry did not disclose the current stage of the proposal, the possible route or the commercial and regulatory structure that would govern any future link.
For India, the cooperation places transmission planning alongside two growing system pressures: the addition of renewable power and the concentrated demand created by large digital infrastructure facilities. For Saudi Arabia, the talks provide a channel for technical engagement with India on high-voltage networks and evolving grid-management requirements.
The ministry said discussions between the two countries will continue on the proposed electrical interconnection and that cooperation will also be taken forward in other areas. No final agreement or implementation schedule was announced in the statement.
