According to the statistics of the ministry of water and electricity, the electric services have reached more than 10700 cities, governorates and centers, while the sold electric power amounted to about 163,000 megawatt during 2006. This figure reflects an increase of 6.4 percent compared to the figures of 2005. About 29,000 employees work in the electricity sector. 82.2 percent of the total number are Saudis. The ministry of water and electricity has established a number of training centers for the Saudi youth. The Saudi electricity company, established in May, 2000, has been concerned with the projects which positively contribute to meeting the requirements of comprehensive development. The company has set future plans for linking the Kingdom's regions: Hail region has been linked with Riyadh, and with the Eastern region. Arrangements are underway to link the Kingdom with the GCC member states. Meanwhile, the company has set a program for extending electric services to all villages and hamlets by the end of 2008. This program will increase the number of cities, villages and hamlets which benefit from the electric service to 11000.