Saudi Arabia releases 3.3 GW of solar, wind projects

• Saudi Arabia has actually released a tender for 3.3 GW of wind and solar power projects as part of the National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP), the Ministry of Energy claimed on Sunday.

The Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC), the principal customer in the kingdom, has actually introduced a total of five projects that aim for the implementation of 1.8 GW of wind energy as well as 1.5 GW of solar capacity.

As part of the round, Saudi Arabia is looking for to develop a 700-MW wind farm in Yanbu on the Red Sea shore as well as an additional one of 600 MW in Al-Ghat, Riyadh Province. The 3rd wind project has a capacity of 500 MW and also will be located in Waad Al-Shamal, northern Saudi Arabia.

The targeted solar capacity consists of a 1.1-GW project in the eastern governorate of Al-Hinakiya and also an additional solar park with a capacity of 400 MW that will be set up in Tabarjal in the north.

The realisation of the five projects will support the kingdom's objective of diversifying its electricity mix and shifting far from fossil fuels.