Saudi Arabia Launches Multi-GW Solar Tenders

• SPPC of Saudi Arabia has launched round 5 of the NREP with a request for qualification call 
• It targets to procure 3.7 GW new solar PV capacity to be developed as 4 projects 
• The largest of the lot is 2 GW AC Al Sadawi IPP facility to be located in the country's Eastern province 

The Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) has launched another tender round to competitively source 3,700 MW new solar PV capacity under round 5 of Saudi Arabia's National Renewable Energy Program (NREP). 

The request for qualification (RFQ) round 5 comprises 4 projects with a combined 3.7 GW PV capacity, distributed as the following:  

• 2 GW AC Al Sadawi IPP in Eastern province 
• 1 GW AC Al Masa IPP in Hail province 
• 400 MW AC Al Henakiyah 2 IPP in Madinah province, and 
• 300 MW AC Rabigh 2 IPP in Makkah province. 

Under its NREP, oil-rich Saudi Arabia aims to achieve 50% share of renewable energy in its power mix by 2030 to 'displace liquid fuels.' So far, SPPC says it has awarded more than 12.6 GW of renewable energy capacity for which it is an offtaker. 

Recently, SPPC signed power purchase agreements (PPA) for 1.5 GW solar PV capacity under round 4 of the NREP. While the consortium of Masdar, EDF Renewables and Nesma won the 1.1 GW Al Henakiyah Solar Plant, the team of Jinko Power, Sun Glare and Sunlight Energy signed an agreement for the 400 MW Tabarjal PV Plant (see SPPC Announces Winners For 1.5 GW Solar PV Capacity).