China Energy Construction Guangdong Thermal Power General Contracting Co., Ltd. has announced that the 300 MW photovoltaic power station project in Rabigh, Saudi Arabia is successfully connected to the grid and officially entered the operation stage. (April 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)
• 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)
• Companies have been invited to submit EoIs for seven PV projects by 14 February, 2019 under the second round of the kingdom’s NREP project. The seven projects, which will have a combined total capacity of 1.51 GW, are as follows: Medina solar PV IPP: Medina Province, approximately 26 kilometres from Medina city (50MW) Rafha solar PV IPP: Northern Borders province, approximately 16km from Rafha city (45MW) Qurayyat solar PV IPP: Al-Jawf Province, approximately 15km from Qurayyat city (200MW) Al-Faisaliah solar PV IPP: Mecca Province, approximately 80km south of Jeddah city (600MW) Rabigh solar PV IPP: Mecca Province, approximately 145km north of Jeddah city (300MW) Jeddah solar PV IPP: Mecca Province, approximately 50km southeast of Jeddah city (300MW) Mahd al-Dahab solar PV IPP: Medina Province, approximately 150km southeast of Medina (20MW) (January 2019)
• Saudi Arabia’s Repdo is set to issue tender for 12 renewables projects with a capacity of 3.1GW in mid-2019 as part of its the second round of the National Renewable Energy Programme. (February 2019)
• Saudi Arabia’s Repdo has invited contractors to submit pre-qualification documents by 8 April, 2019 for seven PV projects under the second round of the NREP. (March 2019)
• MoU has been signed with the Mecca municipality to develop 2.6GW of solar capacity in the Mecca. The Faisaliah Solar Power Project is planned to be developed in several stages by the Saudi Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources and the Development Authority of Mecca. Only 600 MW of the project will be tendered by the REPDO, while the remaining 2 GW will be built by the country’s Public Investment Fund along with its partners. (March 2019)
• Saudi Arabia’s Repdo is set to issue the RFPs for the 7 PV projects with combined capacity of 1.51GW under the second round of the kingdom’s NREP. The bids submission deadline for the planned 50MW Medina and 45MW Rafha solar IPPs will be set for the end of September. RFP for the 200MW Qurayyat IPP, 300MW Rabigh IPP, 300MW Jeddah South IPP and 600MW Al-Faisaliyah IPP is expected to be issued in early July, with a planned submission date in early December. (May 2019)
• RFP has been issued for the category B PV projects under the second round of NREP. Last date to submit bids is 18 November, 2019. The category B projects include: 1. Al-Faisaliah solar PV IPP: Mecca Province, approximately 80km south of Jeddah city (600MW). 2. Jeddah solar PV IPP: Mecca Province, approximately 50km southeast of Jeddah city (300MW). 3. Rabigh solar PV IPP: Mecca Province, approximately 145km north of Jeddah city (300MW). 4. Qurayyat solar PV IPP: Al-Jawf Province, approximately 15km from Qurayyat city (200MW). (August 2019)
• RFP has been issued for the category A PV projects under the second round of NREP. Last date to submit bids is 1 December, 2019. The category A projects include: 1. Medina solar PV IPP: Medina Province, approximately 26 kilometres from Medina city (50MW). 2. Rafha solar PV IPP: Northern Borders province, approximately 16km from Rafha city (20MW). (August 2019)
• The bids submission deadline has been extended for category A and category B PV projects under the second round of the Kingdom’s NREP. Bids for the category A projects are now due to be submitted by 20 January, 2020, while bids for the category B projects are now due to be submitted by 6 January, 2020. (November 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)
• Bids have been submitted for category A and category B PV projects under the second round of the NREP. Bidders for the category A projects are: Alfanar / Al-Blagha, both of Saudi Arabia, First Solar of US. Bidders for the category B projects are: Acwa Power of Saudi Arabia / GIC of Kuwait, Marubeni of Japan / Al-Jomaih of Saudi Arabia, Masdar of UAE / EDF of France / Nesma of Saudi Arabia, Total of France / Al-Gihaz of Saudi Arabia. (February 2020)
• For other category B projects, the first ranked bidders for Jeddah solar PV IPP and Qurayyat solar PV IPP are the Masdar/EDF/Nesma consortium, LCOE tariff of SAR halalas 6.09 per kilowatt hour (SRh/kWh), $cents1.62/kWh in US dollars and the Acwa Power consortium, LCOE of SR6.688/kWh, respectively. (April 2020)
• Repdo has invited two bidders for the 600MW Fasiliyah PV solar project of category B to submit best and final offers (BAFO) by 19 April, 2020 as their levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) tariffs are very close. The 2 bidders invited are: Acwa Power of Saudi Arabia / GIC of Kuwait; Masdar of UAE / EDF of France / Nesma of Saudi Arabia. (April 2020)
• Shortlisted bidders have been announced for 5 PV solar projects under the second round of NREP. Category B Projects – 1. For the 300MW Jeddah photovoltaic PV IPP, Repdo shortlisted the two lowest bidders as the two shortlisted bidders for the project. The consortium of the Masdar of UAE, EDF of France and the local Nesma Holding was ranked first shortlisted bidder with a levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) tariff of SAR halalas 6.09 per kilowatt hour (SARh/kWh), $cents1.62/kWh in US dollars. The second ranked shortlisted bidder was a consortium of the local Acwa Power, GIC of Kuwait and the local Al-Babtain with a LCOE tariff of SARh6.215/kWh. 2. For the 300MW Rabigh PV IPP, Repdo shortlisted a consortium of Marubeni Corporation of Japan and the local Al-Jomaih Energy & Water Company with a LCOE tariff of SAR halalas 6.38kWh, the second lowest submitted LCOE. The second ranked shortlisted bidder was the Acwa Power/GIC/Al-Babtain consortium with a bid of SAR 6.597/kWh. 3. For the 200MW Qurrayat IPP, the Acwa Power consortium was selected as first ranked bidder with a submitted LCOE of SAR 6.688/kWh. A consortium of Total Solar of France and local firms Al-Gihaz Holding Company and Altaaqa Alternative Solutions was ranked second shortlisted bidder with a LCOE tariff of SARh6.785/kWh. 4. For the 600MW Al-Faisaliah PV IPP, Repdo has invited the two lowest bidders, the Masdar and Acwa Power consortiums to submit best and final offers (BAFO), with the process to be completed in April. Category A Projects – 1. For the 50MW Medina PV IPP, the Al-Blagha Holding for Investments Company/Alfanar (local)/ Desert Technologies Industries was ranked first shortlisted bidder with a LCOE tariff of SARh7.27/kWh. The First Solar/ Al-Mowah (local) consortium was second shortlisted bidder with a tariff of SARh11.35/kWh. 2. For the 20MW Rafha project, the Al-Blagha consortium was once again ranked first shortlisted bidder with a LCOE tariff of SARh13.0772/kWh. The First Solar consortium had submitted a tariff of SARh19.04/kWh. (April 2020)
• Teams led by the UAE's Masdar and the local Acwa Power have submitted final offers for the 600MW Al-Faisaliah solar PV contract. (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. (April 2020)
• For the largest capacity project in the NREP’s second round, the 600MW Al-Faisaliah PV IPP, the two lowest bidders – Masdar and Acwa Power consortiums – submitted best and final offers later in April. Bidders are still waiting for news from the client when contracts will be awarded and PPAs signed. The successful bidders for both Category A and B projects will sign a 25-year PPA with the Saudi Procurement Company (SPPC) as offtaker. (August 2020)
• SEC has awarded a contract worth SAR 42,731,604 ($11,395,094) to Al Osais Contracting Company of Saudi Arabia, a subsidiary of Al Osais International Holding Company for the expansion of 132kV Substations to interconnect the Repdo’s Qurayyat and Rafha Solar PV power plant to the network. Al Osais shall perform contract 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 substation work in a satisfactorily working and operating condition. Qurayyat 132kV Substation expansion scope involves the expansion of existing 132kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) two bays, with associated protection, control and Substation Automation System modification. It also includes the construction of 132kV Overhead transmission line (OHTL) from the existing Qurayyat Substation to New Qurayyat PV Substation. Rafha 132kV Substation expansion scope involves the expansion of existing 132kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) two bays, with associated protection, control and Substation Automation System modification. It also includes the installation of 132kV underground cable from the existing Rafha Substation to New Rafha PV Substation. (November 2020)
• The developer consortium – Masdar, EDF Renewables and Nesma – for the 300 MW Jeddah PV solar IPP of the category B projects has awarded the EPC contract, to Larsen & Toubro (L&T). (January 2021)
• PPAs have been signed for IPP PV solar projects in Category B under Round 2 projects. The PPAs have now been signed between the appointed developers and the offtaker, Saudi Power Procurement Company (SSPC). (January 2021)
• For the 300MW Rabigh PV IPP, Repdo appointed a consortium of Japan’s Marubeni Corporation and Al-Jomaih Energy & Water Company of Saudi Arabia with a LCOE tariff of SRhalalas6.38kWh. A consortium led by Acwa Power was appointed for the 200MW Qurrayat IPP with a submitted LCOE of SR6.688/kWh. (January 2021)
• A contract worth SAR 197.7 million ($52.7 million) for the construction of Saad Solar PV 380/132kV Substation has been awarded to Al Sharif Group for Contracting. The 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. (March 2021)
• Masdar said its consortium with global renewable energy leader EDF Renewables, is set to start construction work on a 300-megawatt solar power plant in Jeddah following its financial close with Nesma Company. Repdo had awarded the consortium the Jeddah project, after it had submitted the most cost-competitive bid of SR60.9042 ($16.24) per megawatt hour. (March 2021)
• Marubeni Corporation has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) for 300MW Rabigh Solar PV IPP Project. The agreement signed through a Special Purpose Company (SPC) established in consortium with Al Jomaih Energy & Water Company Limited, Saudi Arabia. Marubeni will have 50.1%, Al Jomaih will have 49.9% of Equity Participation. SPPC will purchase the produced power for 25 years following the Commercial Operation Date. (COD). The COD of the project is expected to be in July 2023. (April 2021)
• The developer consortium for the Rabigh Solar Photovoltaic (PV) IPP under the second round of the NREP has awarded the EPC contract to China Energy Engineering Group Guangdong Power Engineering Co. ltd, a subsidiary of Energy China. The value of signed contract is approximately RMB 1,201.5 billion (USD 183.8million). (April 2021)
• The consortium of Alfanar Construction, Desert Technologies and Tamasuk Holding Company has submitted the lowest tariffs for 50MW Medina PV independent power producer (IPP) project and 20MW Rafha PV IPP. For the 50MW Medina PV IPP, the consortium submitted the lowest levlised cost of electricity (LCOE) tariff of SRh7.27/kWh. For the 20MW Rafha PV IPP, the consortium submitted the lowest LCOE tariff of SRh13.0772/kWh. The consortium has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Saudi Procurement Company (SPPC) as offtaker. Synergy Consulting provided financial advisory services to the consortium for both projects. (May 2021)
• For Saudi Arabia Renewable Project Development Office’s (Repdo) - 300 MW Jeddah PV solar IPP - Round 2, category B project, a contract to supply Monoline 2V bifacial, has been awarded to Spain’s PVH. The contract scope covers supply of 387 MWp Monoline 2V bifacial solution, designed and tested to maximize irradiance by reducing shadow intensity and potential mismatch losses. In addition, its architecture is tested to withstand the desert climate of the region, which is a guarantee of performance and profitability. The developer consortium for the project, is Masdar, EDF Renewables and Nesma. The consortium awarded the EPC contract to Larsen & Toubro (L&T), in January 2021. The Jeddah PV plant is expected to be completed in 2023. (February 2022)
• The developer consortium of the Rabigh Solar PV IPP has awarded a contract to Longi of China to supply 400 MW capacity of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels for the project. The developer team comprises Marubeni Corporation of Japan and Al Jomaih Energy & Water Company Limited of Saudi Arabia. Marubeni Corporation signed a PPA with the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) for the IPP. SPPC will purchase the produced power for 25 years following the Commercial Operation Date (COD), which is expected to be in July 2023. (June 2022)
• Larsen & Toubro (L&T), the EPC contractor, has awarded a contract to Longi to provide photovoltaic modules for Jeddah solar PV project, part of Repdo Round II, and has a capacity of 388 MW. (December 2022)