Saudi Electricity Company launches Riyadh Grid Modernization Project to replace 65 overhead transmission towers with underground power lines

Saudi Electricity Company's Project Development Company is spearheading a major infrastructure upgrade in Riyadh, converting 65 overhead transmission towers to underground power lines. This Riyadh Grid Modernization Project, announced on 2026-03-11, directly invests in the capital's urban electricity network. The commercial logic centers on enhancing grid reliability and improving the aesthetic landscape of Riyadh, aligning with urban development goals within Saudi Arabia. While the project's value remains undisclosed, this development-type initiative focuses squarely on the transmission sector, a core function of the parent utility. The replacement of existing overhead infrastructure with subterranean lines indicates a long-term commitment to resilient and modern power delivery for Riyadh's growing demands. For Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), a utility company focused on generation, transmission, and distribution across Saudi Arabia, this project directly bolsters its critical transmission infrastructure in its primary market. PDC, as SEC's project development arm, typically develops independent power projects (IPPs), yet this Riyadh Grid Modernization Project demonstrates its expanded remit to include direct utility-owned infrastructure upgrades. This initiative strengthens SEC's operational backbone in Riyadh, ensuring a more robust and modern electricity supply for the Saudi Arabian capital. The development, announced by PDC on 2026-03-11, illustrates SEC's proactive strategy for maintaining and upgrading its extensive network.