Policy brief
Published:
A Pathway to Security in the MENA: Integrating Subregional Electricity Markets
Written by
Manal Shehabi
Senior Research Fellow, INET; Senior Associate, Children & Climate Initiative and Seminar Leader-Economics, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford; Founding Director, SHEER Research & Advisory
Ed.
Summary:
Despite being among the richest regions in energy, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is facing security and electricity crises. Grids are beset with technical challenges and gas dependence, and energy poverty is high amidst conflict.
Integrated cross-border electricity markets can alleviate power shortages through trade. Yet MENA’s three subregional power markets are underutilized, trading 2% of electricity generated.
This policy brief argues that governments must integrate each of the three MENA subregional grids into electricity markets, expanding to Iran and Türkiye. This is the most practical pathway and the first phase towards a MENA-wide integrated electricity market. States must undertake technical, institutional, and market reforms to transform MENA’s subregional grids into resilient, efficient and low-carbon integrated grids offering short-term stability and long-term security.
Integrated cross-border electricity markets can alleviate power shortages through trade. Yet MENA’s three subregional power markets are underutilized, trading 2% of electricity generated.
This policy brief argues that governments must integrate each of the three MENA subregional grids into electricity markets, expanding to Iran and Türkiye. This is the most practical pathway and the first phase towards a MENA-wide integrated electricity market. States must undertake technical, institutional, and market reforms to transform MENA’s subregional grids into resilient, efficient and low-carbon integrated grids offering short-term stability and long-term security.
- Published year: 2026
- Publisher: Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
- Page count: 4
- Language: English
- Pages: 1 - 4
- Volume: 2026
- Booklet: 3
Written by
Manal Shehabi
Senior Research Fellow, INET; Senior Associate, Children & Climate Initiative and Seminar Leader-Economics, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford; Founding Director, SHEER Research & Advisory