Saudi Arabia Invites RFQ For 1.5 GW Solar Project

• Saudi Arabia's REPDO has received interest from some 256 companies from around the world for its 1.515 GW solar tender it launched in January 2019
• This number includes 100 local firms, according to a report by Saudi Gazette
• REPDO has now launched phase 2 of the tender with request for qualifications to be submitted latest by April 8, 2019

Saudi Arabia is in receipt of as many as 256 companies expressing interest in its 1.5 15 GW solar power tender, with 100 local companies vying for a chance competing against global heavyweights. The names of interested companies is not yet known, but interest of this kind is sure to have the leading international names for this tender in the country.

Saudi Gazette reported that the projects will lead to job opportunities for over 4,500 locals and ensure clean power supply for 226,500 households.

The Renewable Energy Project Development Office (REPDO) under the country's Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources (MEIM) had launched the tender with an EOI for the solar project in January 2019 (see 1.5 GW Solar IPP Tender In Saudi Arabia).

Now, REPDO has moved on to the second step in the tender process formally inviting companies to participate in the request for qualification (RFQ) round. Last date to submit proposals is April 8, 2019. Further details are available on the website of REPDO.

This tender is round 2 of the Saudi National Renewable Program (NREP), which awarded 300 MW capacity in round 1 to ACWA Power in February 2018 (see ACWA Power Wins 300 MW Saudi PV Tender).

Saudi Arabia is aiming for 40 GW of solar power capacity by 2030, which means there will be whole lot of further opportunities to come beyond this 1.5 GW tender.