MUSCAT: India has announced an ambitious plan to export electricity to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates via long-distance undersea cables. According to India’s power minister Manohar Lal Khattar, the planned subsea cable stretching 1,700 kilometers to Saudi Arabia will cost around INR470 billion (\$5.5 billion), while the 1,400-kilometer cable to the UAE will cost INR435 billion. These high-capacity transmission links represent a strategic push by India to become a regional energy exporter and strengthen energy partnerships with key Gulf nations.
The projects will enable New Delhi to transmit up to 2 gigawatts of electricity to each country, diversifying India’s power market and contributing to the energy security goals of both Saudi Arabia and the UAE. This cross-border electricity trade is expected to foster greater regional energy interdependence, aligning with the broader objective of developing resilient and interconnected power networks across South Asia and the Middle East.
Joint venture agreements for both projects have already been signed with Saudi and Emirati counterparts, underscoring strong bilateral cooperation in the energy sector. These deals signal trust in India’s expanding power infrastructure and its ability to deliver surplus electricity through complex subsea cable technology, which demands high levels of engineering and logistical coordination.
The undersea power links are part of India’s wider strategy to boost electricity exports and leverage its growing renewable energy capacity. By tapping into Gulf markets, India not only secures new revenue streams but also plays a proactive role in supporting regional decarbonization and energy transition efforts, positioning itself as a reliable and innovative energy partner for its neighbors.
