Hyundai E&C wins $145 mn power line order from Saudi Arabia

[Courtesy of Hyundai E&C]

South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. announced on Tuesday that it has received a $145 million contract to lay power transmission lines in Saudi Arabia.

The deal was reached with a Saudi state power company and entails the construction of a 525-kilovolt, 605-kilometer transmission line, covering a distance of 207 kilometers between Saudi Arabia’s newly developed city of Neom and the country’s western port of Yanbu.

Hyundai E&C said it will also be responsible for constructing about 450 transmission towers under the turn-key project scheduled for completion in July 2027.

The technology employed in this high-voltage direct current transmission system converts power generated at a power plant from alternating current (AC) to high-voltage direct current, which is then transmitted to its intended destination. Notably, this method exhibits lower energy loss over extended distances and is compatible with alternating current grids, irrespective of frequency. Consequently, it offers exceptional stability and efficiency, making it an ideal choice for transmitting renewable energy like solar and offshore wind power. It is increasingly recognized as a next-generation transmission technology.

Winning this project as a turnkey venture further reaffirms Hyundai E&C’s reputation for world-class technology and expertise in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC). As a turnkey project, the company will be responsible for managing the entire process, from design and procurement to construction.

The Korean builder has completed 33 power transmission line projects in Saudi Arabia since 1976, when it started its first project there.

“Since first entering the Saudi construction market in 1975, we have successfully executed 16 large-scale projects, including the Amiral Project and the Neom Running Tunnel, earning the trust of the Saudi government and clients over the years,” said a company official.