Manz may build CIGS factories in Saudi Arabia - report

Oct 28, 2014 - German engineering group Manz AG (ETR:M5Z) is exploring opportunities to build plants for copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS) solar modules in Saudi Arabia and the region.

The company is willing to enter the Saudi Arabian solar market and is already looking for partners, its vice president for sales in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Mohamed Alammawi, told the Arab News on Tuesday. The German machinery maker has contacted several local solar players, including Saudi Electricity Co and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), as well as other entities eager to set foot on Saudi Arabia’s solar market.

Manz is currently active in the automation, laser processes and chemical industries, among others. Its engineering solutions are used mainly in the display, solar and battery manufacturing sectors. Alammawi noted, as cited by the newspaper, that Manz does not have any joint ventures with Saudi Arabian firms yet.

Last month, the European Investment Bank (EIB) said it is lending EUR 20 million (USD 25.4m) to Manz for research in the field of CIGS solar technologies.

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE), the organisation tasked with leading the diversification of Saudi Arabia's energy mix, aims to bring the local renewable power generation capacity to 41 GW by 2032. This will include between 9 GW and 11 GW of solar plants.

(EUR 1.0 = USD 1.271)

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!