Saudi govt to build 100-MW solar facility in Mecca - report

Oct 8, 2012 - A 100-MW solar power park is to be built in the holy city of Mecca, the Saudi government has confirmed, Green Prophet website reported on Sunday, citing local daily Al-Eqtisadiah.

The solar project is to cost USD 640 million (EUR 439m). The office of Mecca's Mayor Osama bin Fadl al-Bar told the website that the solar plant would save Mecca at least USD 550 million in electricity costs a year.

The mayor told Al-Eqtisadiah that around 100 international companies forming some 20 consortia would compete to develop the project. Bids for the project will be accepted in the first week of 2013.

The move is part of Saudi Arabia's target of generating 10% of power from solar and wind power projects by 2017.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.771)

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