Choosing between underground cables and overhead transmission lines requires considering multiple factors: capital cost, operational reliability, environmental impact, and terrain suitability. In Saudi Arabia, both technologies play crucial roles in the national grid.
Underground cables offer superior protection against weather conditions, reduced visual impact, and lower electromagnetic field levels. However, underground systems typically cost three to five times as much as equivalent overhead transmission lines.
Overhead transmission lines remain the backbone of long-distance energy transmission across the Kingdom’s vast geography.