Riyadh-Mubasher: National Grid, a subsidiary of Saudi Electricity Co. (SEC), and Hitachi Ltd signed an agreement for technical collaboration in the areas of electricity infrastructure development relevant to products for the nation's substations.

Based on the agreement, Hitachi will jointly evolve with National Grid the standardization of products for substations and provide training appertaining to products to National Grid's engineers. Hitachi is the first company in Japan for signing such agreement with National Grid, according to Hitachi website.

The rapid growth in demand for electric power in Saudi Arabia against a background of population and economic growth has created an urgent need for additional transmission lines and other power transmission infrastructure. As the largest nation in the Middle East in terms of both its economy and population, Saudi Arabia is expected to increase the number of its transmission substations from the current total of about 720 up to 900 by 2020.

Saudi Arabia accounts for approximately 40% of the Middle East market for gas-insulated switchgear, essential equipment in substations, with ongoing growth in demand anticipated as the population continues to rise.