Saudi Electricity plans $3 bln integrated power plant

Saudi Electricity Co. (SEC) is planning to build a $3 billion integrated solar and combined cycle power plant (ISCC) in Taiba with a combined cycle capacity of 3,600MW and an 180MW solar component, MEED has reported.

The state utility provider, which is also the largest in the Gulf region, is expected to procure and tender the project using the original equipment manufacturer [OEM] and EPC models.

OEM firms have already started working on submissions, MEED added. Contractors have been invited to purchase tender documents for the main EPC contracts before the end of September. The submission date for technical proposals is likely to be in late December, with commercial prices due in 2016.

The power projects are part of the kingdom’s efforts to fulfill the increasing demand for power. According to the latest forecasts by Ecra, peak demand will climb to 75,000MW in 2020, from the 54,000MW recorded in 2014, and to 123,000MW by 2032 based on an average growth rate of 4.5-5 percent a year.