Arab electricity ministers will consider the viability of a regional grid when they meet for the first time in Cairo in April 1995. The newly established assembly has been set up by the Arab League and will meet every two years, says assistant secretary-general for economic affairs Abdrahman Sehebani.

A study by the Kuwait-based Arab Fund for Economic & Social Development has put the cost of establishing such a network at $6,000 million. However, savings are estimated at more than $10,000 million, as it will reduce the investment needed to raise generating capacity to meet rising demand (MEED 10:6:94).

Preparations for next year's assembly were made by electricity ministers from Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Morocco at a meeting held in Cairo on 10-11 August.