Modi Government to Invest Over ₹90,000 Crore in Undersea Power Cables Linking India with UAE and Saudi Arabia

In a bold step to transform India's energy exports and deepen strategic energy ties with the Gulf, the Modi government has unveiled plans to invest over ₹90,000 crore in laying undersea power transmission cables to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The mega project will position India as a key supplier of clean energy to the Middle East, while also strengthening regional energy security and cooperation.

The plan includes two massive undersea electricity corridors:

• A 1,400-kilometer power transmission line to the United Arab Emirates.

• A 1,700-kilometer line to Saudi Arabia.

These high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables will run beneath the Arabian Sea, enabling the transmission of surplus renewable electricity generated in India — especially from solar and wind farms — directly to the Gulf nations, where demand for clean power is steadily rising.

The initiative is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Power in collaboration with key public-sector companies such as Power Grid Corporation of India, and aligns with India’s ambition to become a major player in the global green energy market. Notably, the planned investment exceeds ₹90,000 crore (approximately $11 billion), making it one of the largest energy infrastructure projects in India’s history.

The project is being driven by both geopolitical and economic considerations. With Gulf nations like UAE and Saudi Arabia making aggressive transitions toward renewable energy under their respective Vision 2030 roadmaps, India’s massive renewable generation capacity can help them meet their targets. At the same time, it opens up a new revenue stream for India through clean energy exports.

According to early estimates, the proposed India-UAE and India-Saudi Arabia cables could carry between 2 to 3 gigawatts of electricity, potentially enough to power millions of homes. Feasibility studies have already begun, and intergovernmental discussions are underway to finalize technical, financial, and legal frameworks. Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have expressed strong interest in partnering with India on this initiative.

This project also supports India's broader energy diplomacy goals, which include setting up a global grid infrastructure under the “One Sun One World One Grid” initiative. India has already signed similar green energy export agreements with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and is in talks with Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.

By undertaking this ambitious undersea grid project, India aims not just to export clean energy but also to reshape the geopolitical map of energy partnerships. As the global clean energy race heats up, this bold investment positions India as both a regional powerhouse and a future net exporter of green electricity.