Saudi Arabia starts solar RfP stage, plans 1 GW more renewables

Saudi Arabia’s energy minister on Monday started the request for proposal (RFP) stage concerning the development of a 300-MW solar project in Sakaka, and unveiled plans for a 1,020-MW Round 2 of the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP).

Earlier in April, Saudi Arabia’s Renewable Energy Project Development Office (REPDO) shortlisted 27 companies for the particular solar photovoltaic (PV) project and 24 for a 400-MW wind scheme, both part of the first round of NREP.

“The market response to round one has been unprecedented and lays the foundation for the deployment of utility-scale renewable energy that delivers best value to Saudi Arabia and its people,” said Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Khalid Al Falih.

According to the announcement, the RfP for the 400-MW wind project will be launched in weeks. The winning bids for Round 1 will be unveiled in November 2017.

As per Round 2, the Kingdom expects to launch request for qualifications (RFQ) in the final quarter of 2017 for a 400-MW wind farm in Doumat Al Jandal and several additional solar projects totalling 620 MW.

Also on Monday, the minister launched the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy’s (KACARE) National Center for Renewable Energy Data, which will be providing high precision renewable energy site information across the Kingdom.

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