Inter-Connection Grid Project`s Launch is Fulfillment of GCC Leaders` Great Vision

Kuwait, December 15, 2009, SPA -- 'A dream comes true,' will remain as the most
befitting expression for such a huge and one of the unique projects in the Gulf
Cooperation Council (GCC) and around the world. There is no doubt that the GCC
Inter-connection Grid Project launched last night is a fulfillment of the great
vision and a true reflection of in-depth inspiration of the GCC leaders for the
comprehensive development of the region's countries.


The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and the leaders
of other five member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, currently holding
the 30th GCC Summit in Kuwait city, launched last night the electricity
Inter-connection Grid Project to be overseen by the Dammam-based Gulf Cooperation
Council Inter-Connection Authority (GCCIA) which was established for this purpose
by a royal decree dated 08/05/1422H (July 29, 2001).


The overall project when finally finished include three phases:


Phase I: Interconnection of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia (the main contributor), Bahrain
and Qatar which is called the GCC North-Grid, is now fully operational. The system
components include a double-circuit 400 kV, 50Hz line from Al Zour (Kuwait) to
Ghunan (Saudi Arabia) with an intermediate connection at AlFadhili (Saudi Arabia)
and associated substations, according to GCCIA website.


Phase II, however, is an Interconnection of the Independent systems in the UAE as
well as Oman. This is the GCC South-Grid, to be executed independently by another
party.


Phase III: Interconnection of the GCC South-Grid with the GCC-North Grid. This
phase completes the interconnection of the Six Gulf States. It links the networks
of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar (North-Grid) and the United Arab Emirates
and Oman (South-Grid) expected to be completed in 2011.


--SPA