Saudi Electricity invites bids for renewable power projects

Saudi Electricity Co. (SEC) has invited consultancy firms to bid for Saudi Arabia’s first three renewable energy plants, setting January 31 as an initial deadline for companies to express interest in the project, MEED reported on Tuesday. 

The kingdom is planning to build two photovoltaic (PV) solar plants with a 30-50 megawatt (MW) in Rafna and Al-Jouf. In addition, a wind plant at a capacity ranging between 10 and 50 MW will be built in Umiju.

The three projects will be developed under the independent power producer (IPP) model.

Technical consultancy services will help in the prequalification of bidders, bid evaluation and contract awards, MEED added.

In February 2013, Saudi Arabia revealed a plan for developing 54 gigawatt (GW) renewable energy program by 2032, through building solar, wind and waste-to-energy power plants. However, the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KA-Care) failed to make any further progress with the program.

In 2015, the state-owned utility provider SEC awarded contracts for the Duba 1 and Waad Al-Shamal integrated solar and combined cycle (ISCC) projects.