Energy ministry shortlists bidders for third round of renewable energy projects

Logo of the Ministry of Energy

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy announced shortlisted bidders for round three of renewable energy projects within the Kingdom.

This round consists of four solar photovoltaic (PV) independent power producers (IPPs) with an aggregate capacity of 1,200 megawatts (MW).

These are divided into two categories, namely Category A that includes Wadi Ad Dawasir 120 MW solar PV IPP and Layla 80 MW solar PV IPP, and Category B that includes Ar Rass 700 MW solar PV IPP and Saad 300 MW solar PV IPP. 

The request for proposals (RFP) was issued on April 8, 2020, for Category B projects and on April 22, 2020, for Category A projects.  

Three bids were submitted for each project in Q2 2021.

All bids were evaluated to ensure compliance with the RFP technical and commercial criteria, the ministry said, expecting to reach commercial and financial closing soon.

Each of the four projects is obligated to meet the local content requirements imposed by the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority, which aims at increasing the value-added contribution of products and services to the national economy.

The winning bidders will enter a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA), with the Saudi Power Procurement Co. (SPPC) as an offtaker.