Elsewedy Electric Transmission & Distribution Company (EET&D), the EPC contractor for Saad solar IPP project, has awarded a supply contract to Sunpure for the 348 MW IPP. Under the contract, Sunpure will deliver its cutting-edge PV intelligent cleaning robots for the project. EET&D is a subsidiary of the Egyptian multinational company Elsewedy Electric. The project is being developed by Jinko Power of China, along with its subsidiary Jinko Al-Dhafra. (September 2023)

• Client has issued a tender for technical, financial and legal consultants to advise on a new renewables project. Bids are due to be submitted by mid of August. (July 2016)

• More details have emerged for the next two rounds of NREP. The second round is planned to consist of 1,020MW at eight locations, with the third round set to contain 1,340MW of projects at 12 separate locations. (February 2017)

• The energy ministry has appointed Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) of Japan as financial adviser, DLA Piper of UK as legal adviser and the Fichtner of Germany as engineering and technical adviser on the project. (February 2017)
• Repdo is set to issue the request for qualification (RFQ) this month for the third round of the NREP. The 60 firms pre-qualified to the second round will be considered pre-qualified for the third round. More developers can submit documents to pre-qualify for the upcoming third round. Tender for six renewable IPPs of capacity 1.6 GW, under round 3, is planned to be issued in December. These six IPPs will comprise one wind and five PV solar projects. (October 2019)
• Repdo is set to issue the request for qualification (RFQ) for the third round of the kingdom’s NREP, in 2020, shortly after bids for round 2 are received. (December 2019)
• Saudi Arabia’s Finance Ministry has said the government expects to generate investments worth SR14bn ($3.7bn) in the second and third rounds of the NREP. There are six PV solar IPP, with a combined total capacity of 1,270MW, under round two of the NREP, while round three comprises one wind and five solar PV projects with a combined total capacity of 1,580MW. (December 2019)
• Saudi Arabia’s Al Rushaid Group has signed a JV agreement with France’s Optimum Tracker to build components and systems of solar plants in the kingdom. The venture will receive an initial investment of SAR 200 million (Dh195.61mn) and will be based in the Eastern Province, aiming for gradual capacity of “no less than 150 megawatts”. The two companies will combine their expertise in designing and engineering services, focusing on manufacturing of mounting system structures for solar photovoltaic panels. (December 2019)
• Client has issued the RFQ for the third round of the kingdom’s NREP. Last date to submit the RFQ documents is 6 February, 2020. RFP is planned to be issued on 19 March, 2020. Round 3 projects are divided into two categories: 1. Category A includes - Layla 80 MW solar PV project, and Wadi Al Dawaser 120 MW solar PV project. 2. Category B includes - Saad 300 MW solar PV project, and Ar Rass 700 MW solar PV project. (January 2020)
• Repdo is set to issue the request for prequalification (RFQ) in April for the planned Yanbu wind IPP project. The planned IPP with a capacity of 850MW was initially included in the third round of the National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP). (March 2020)
• Repdo has pre-qualified 49 firms for the third round of the kingdom’s National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP). They are: Al Babtain Contracting Company, Al Jomaih Energy and Water Company Limited, Al Mashariq Trading & Contracting Company, Al Sharif Group for Cont & Dev. Trade, Al Toukhi Company for Industry, Trading and Contracting, Abener Energia, S.A., Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC “Masdar”, Acciona Energia Global, Acwa Power, Alfanar Company, Alghanim International, AlGihaz Holding, Alishar Contracting Corporation, Alkifah Holding Company, Almabani General Contractors, Altaaqa Alternative Solutions Co. Ltd., Arabian Electrical Transmission Line Construction Co Ltd, Bin Omairah Contracting Co., Canadian Solar UK Projects Limited, Civil & Electrical Projects Co (CEPCO), Desert Technologies Industries CJSC, EDF Renouvelables, Electric Power Development Company, Energy Equipment Rental Co. Ltd (ENERCO), EXAP Contracting Company, FAS Energy LLC, First Solar International Middle East FZ-LLC, GCL System Integration Technology Co. Ltd, Haji Abdullah Alireza and Co. Ltd (HAACO), ib vogt GmbH, International Power S.A (IPSA), Issam Kabbani & Partners for Construction & Maintenance Co. Ltd., JERA Co, Inc, Jinko Power Company Ltd, KEPCO, Marubeni Corporation, Mohammed AlOjaimi Contracting Est, Mowah Company CJSC, Noor Communications Company Limited, Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina), Rays Power Infra Private Limited, Scatec Solar ASA, Snamprogetti Saudi Arabia Co Ltd, Solarpack Corporation SA, Suliman Abdulaziz Al-Rajhi International, Tamasuk Holding Company, Tenaga National Berhada, Total Solar International, TSK Electronica Y Electricidad S.A. (April 2020)
• The kingdom has shortlisted two bidders for 600MW Fasiliyah PV solar project under its second renewables round. Negotiations are under way on the best and final offers they submitted. (May 2020)
• Repdo has invited bids by 7 October, 2020 for the two Category A projects (Layla 80 MW solar PV project, and Wadi Al Dawaser 120 MW solar PV project) under the third round of the NREP. (June 2020)
• Repdo has extended the bids submission deadlines for the tenders on round 3 projects under the kingdom’s NREP. Last date to submit bids for Category A projects, initially scheduled for 7 October, 2020 are now scheduled for 16 December, 2020. The deadline to submit bids for category B projects has been postponed from 23 September, 2020 to 9 December, 2020. Repdo has now pushed back the appointment of shortlisted bidders from 19 November, 2020 to 25 February, 2021. (October 2020)
• SEC has received bids for the construction of Saad Solar PV 380/132kV Substation around 85km from Riyadh. Fourteen bidders have submitted the proposals. Al Shariff Group for Contracting of Saudi Arabia has submitted the lowest bid price of SAR 197.7 million ($52.7 million). Saad Solar PV 380/132kV Substation will be interconnected to the proposed Renewable Energy (Solar) Power Plant of capacity 300MW at Saad. The project involves the construction a new indoor 380/132 kV Gas Insulated Substation, named as Saad Solar PV 380kV/132 kV Substation. It includes protection, control, communication and SAS/SCADA systems. The contractor shall perform work on Lump sum turnkey basis, the design, engineering, materials procurement, quality management, factory inspection/testing, transport and delivery to site, installation, construction, site inspection, testing and commissioning, all associated work and services until final handing over of new substation work in a satisfactorily working and operating condition. (December 2020)
• Repdo has extended the bids submission deadlines for the tenders on round 3 projects under the kingdom’s NREP. Last date to submit bids for Category A projects, previously scheduled for 16 December, 2020 are now scheduled for 9 March, 2021. The deadline to submit bids for category B projects has been postponed from 9 December, 2020 to 2 March, 2021. (December 2020)
• Repdo has yet again extended the bids submission deadlines for the tenders on round 3 projects under the kingdom’s NREP. Last date to submit bids for Category A projects, previously scheduled for 9 March, 2021 are now scheduled for 06 April, 2021. The deadline to submit bids for category B projects has been postponed from 2 March, 2021 to 24 May, 2021. (March 2021)
• Repdo has received bids for the Category A of round 3 projects under NREP. The bidders are: ACWA Power of Saudi Arabia, Alfanar of Saudi Arabia, and Total Solar of France / Al-Blagha Holding Group of Saudi Arabia. (May 2021)
• The deadline to submit bids for category B projects of round 3 has been postponed from 24 May, 2021 to 3 June, 2021. (May 2021)
• Repdo has received bids for the Category B of round 3 projects under the kingdom’s National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP). The bidders are: ACWA Power of Saudi Arabia, Jinko Power of China, Masdar of UAE / EDF Renewables of France / Nesma of Saudi Arabia. (June 2021)
• Bids have been submitted for the transaction advisory contract for round 3 projects. (July 2021)
• Repdo has shortlisted bidders for the round 3 - category A and B projects. They are - 1. Category A. For Layla 80 MW independent power producer (IPP), the bidders are ACWA Power of Saudi Arabia and Alfanar Company. For Wadi Al Dawaser 120 MW IPP, the bidders are ACWA Power of Saudi Arabia. 2. Category B. For Saad 300 MW IPP, the bidders are Jinko Power of China and Masdar of UAE. For Ar Rass 700 MW IPP, the bidders are ACWA Power of Saudi Arabia and Jinko Power of China. (November 2021)
• Repdo has awarded the BOO contract to a consortium led by Jinko Power (HK) Company for the 300 MW Saad Solar PV IPP. Other members of the consortium are Jinko Power Middle East Holding Co and Jinko Power Dhafra Holding Co. Jinko Power consortium had submitted the winning LCOE [Levelized Cost of Energy] tariff of 5.5626 halalas/kWh (approximately 1.48 cents/kWh) for the project. The project would be developed at a total investment of about $209 million. Its annual power generation, after completion, will be about 876 million kWh. The project is expected to have a construction period of 24 months and an operation period of 30 years. (March 2022)
• Repdo has awarded a BOO contract for the 1000 MW Round 3, Category B projects of the NREP. The Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC), the principal buyer, signed all the project-related agreements including the 25-year PPAs with the winning consortia. The Category B projects and the winning consortia are – 1. Saad 300 MW solar PV project: The PPA has been signed with a consortium led by Jinko Power (HK) Company as the managing and technical member, Jinko Power Middle East Holding Company and Jinko Power Dhafra Holding Company as consortium members. The project is valued at around SR 800mn ($213mn) and located in Saad within the Riyadh region. It has an LCOE of 5.56 halalas/kWh. 2. Ar Rass 700 MW solar PV project: The PPA has been signed with Ar Rass Solar Energy Company (with Acwa Power as the managing and technical member, State Power Investment Corporation from China and Water and Electricity Holding Company (Badeel), a wholly-owned PIF Portfolio Company as consortium members). The project, located in Qassim region, is valued at SR 1.7 billion ($453.1 million) with an LCOE (levelized cost of energy) of 5.62 halalas/kWh. Acwa Power will hold a (40.1%) stake in the facility, along with (20%) by the WEHC, and (39.9%) will be owned by the SPIC. (March 2022)
• Acwa Power’s key subsidiary, Layla Solar Energy Company, has signed a power purchase deal for a solar PV plant being set up in Saudi Arabia's Central Region at a total investment of SR401 million ($107 million). The agreement, inked with Saudi Power Procurement Company, is valid for 30 years and will see the development, construction, and operation of a 91 MW project at a major site within Al Aflaj governorate of Riyadh. Saudi utility emerged had submitted the lowest bid of SR0.112/ kilowatt-hour. Acwa Power will have a 40.1% stake in the strategic solar project, which is expected to achieve its commercial operation by Q1, 2024. (June 2022)
• Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry has signed the PPA for the 80 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) independent power producer (IPP) project to be located in Layla. (August 2022)
• SEC has awarded a SAR 329.2 million (USD 87.7.7 million) contract to National Contracting Company (NCC) of Saudi Arabia for the expansion of Saad Solar PV 380/132kV Substation, located around 85km from Riyadh. Saad Solar PV 380/132kV Substation will be interconnected to the Renewable Energy (Solar) Power Plant at Saad. The substation consists of major equipment of 380kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS), 132kV GIS, 302/402/502MVA, 380/110/13.8kV power transformers, Control/Protection System, Substation Automation System (SAS), Communication System, Fire Detection/Alarm & Safety and Fire Protection System, Civil/Structural works & Mechanical works, HCIS Security System. The contractor will carry out the contract on lump sum turnkey basis, the design, engineering, materials procurement, quality management, factory inspection/testing, transport and delivery to site, installation, construction, site inspection, testing and commissioning. Contractor needs to achieve the final acceptance of the works by 29 months from Contract Signing Date. (December 2022)
• Al Ghazala Energy Company, the Saudi-based subsidiary of Jinko Power Technology Co, Ltd, has signed the EPC contract worth $176.1mn with Elsewedy Electric Transmission & Distribution Company (EET&D) for its 300 MW Saad solar independent power producer (IPP) project in the kingdom. The scope of the full-wrap EPC contract includes design, supply, construction, warranty, initial operation and maintenance of the project. (February 2023)
• Larsen & Toubro (L&T) of India, the EPC contractor, has awarded a contract to Sineng Electric to supply Turnkey Stations to power the 700 MW Ar Rass solar photovoltaic IPP. The contract aims to supply Sineng’s 1500V 6.25MW Turnkey Stations. Installed in the Al Qassim desert area of Saudi Arabia, the inverters have to withstand high temperatures and sandstorms while the advanced safety designs like IP65 and forced-air cooling will ensure its stable operation and ongoing security. In addition, characterized as high efficiency, high energy density, convenient transportation, and easy installation, the inverters can help achieve lower LCOE as well as increase return on investment. The project is being developed by a consortium led by ACWA Power, which has signed a 25-year PPA with the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC). (May 2023)
• SPPC has awarded a contract for a 119 MW solar power plant in the kingdom, to a joint venture ‘Noor Alwadi Renewable Energy Company’ comprising Toyota Tsusho Corporation of Japan, TotalEnergies Renewables of France, each having a 40% stake and Altaaqa Renewable Energy (a Zahid Group company) of Saudi Arabia, having 20% stake. The $100 million IPP project will be located in Wadi Ad Dawasir. It is part of Category B projects under the third round of the Energy Ministry's NREP. This project is selected for Financing Programme for Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) Model Projects, an initiative of Japan's Ministry of the Environment, in FY2022. The project is due for commercial operations in March 2025. (July 2023)
• L&T, the EPC contractor, has awarded a contract to supply solar trackers to PVH to power the Ar Rass solar photovoltaic IPP in the Saudi province of Qassim. All solar trackers for the 805 MW Ar Rass project will come from PVH’s recently opened factory in Jeddah. The trackers are specifically designed to withstand high temperatures and sandstorms while the advanced safety features will ensure its stable operation and corrosion resistance with an estimated life of 25 years. Around 132,000 homes, will be powered through this mega project and while offsetting 1.5 million tons of emissions per year. (August 2023)