India is planning a major cross-border energy project that could transform electricity connectivity with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The proposed India-UAE undersea power cable will connect Gujarat with the UAE through a 1,600-kilometre high-voltage transmission line laid beneath the Arabian Sea. The project, estimated to cost around Rs 40,000 crore, aims to strengthen clean energy cooperation, improve power security and support international electricity trade. Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced the proposal during the India Energy Storage Week, describing it as part of India’s long-term vision for global energy connectivity.
What is the India-UAE undersea power cable project?
The proposed project involves laying a 1,600-km High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) subsea cable between Bhuj in Gujarat and the UAE coast. The cable is expected to run at a depth of 3,000 to 3,500 metres below the Arabian Sea and will have the capacity to transmit 2 gigawatts (GW) of electricity between the two countries.
The project is expected to cost around Rs 40,000 crore and will be executed by the state-owned Power Grid Corporation of India. Officials estimate that the construction and commissioning of the project could take five to six years.
Why is India planning this mega project?
The proposed power link is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘One Sun, One World, One Grid’ (OSOWOG) initiative, which aims to create a global electricity network based largely on renewable energy.
The project will enable India and the UAE to exchange electricity depending on demand and time zones. During periods of surplus renewable energy generation in India, electricity can be exported to the UAE. Likewise, India can import power from the Gulf region when domestic demand is higher or renewable generation is lower.
Officials believe this will improve energy security, promote clean energy use and create a more reliable international electricity market.
India expanding global power connectivity
The India-UAE proposal is one of several international energy connectivity projects being pursued by the government. India has already announced plans for another undersea electricity cable with Saudi Arabia, reportedly involving an investment of around Rs 47,000 crore.
The government is also exploring future power grid connections with Sri Lanka, Singapore and Europe. These projects are aimed at creating a wider international electricity trading network that allows countries to exchange clean energy more efficiently across borders.
How will the project benefit India and the UAE?
If approved and completed, the undersea power cable is expected to provide several long-term benefits. It will strengthen energy cooperation between India and the UAE, support renewable energy exports, improve electricity reliability and encourage cross-border investment in clean energy infrastructure.
The project could also deepen economic and strategic ties between the two countries while helping both nations make better use of renewable energy generated at different times of the day because of time-zone differences. As governments worldwide increase investments in green energy, the proposed India-UAE electricity corridor could become a major milestone in regional energy cooperation and sustainable development.
First published on: Jul 09, 2026 06:03 PM IST
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