Saudi Arabia shortlists firms for solar, wind power projects

Saudi Arabia has shortlisted qualified companies for its renewable energy projects, as part of the first round of the National Renewable Energy Program, the kingdom’s energy minister Khalid Al-Falih said on Monday.

Twenty-seven companies have qualified for the 300 megawatt (MW) solar project and 24 firms for the 400 MW wind farm, from a total of 128 applications, the Renewable Energy Project Development Office said in a statement.

Falih is expected to announce the next phase of its renewable energy projects in Riyadh on April 17-18.

"The market response to the kingdom's invitation to its first renewable energy projects has been overwhelmingly positive, demonstrating market confidence in our vast renewable energy potential and investment environment," Falih said in the statement.

“The shortlisting represents the first step towards realizing our renewable energy ambitions,” he added.

Among those qualified to bid for the solar project are US-based First Solar, Italy’s Enel SpA, France’s EDF Energies Nouvelles, and Spain’s Acciona SA.

The solar project will be located in Sakaka, in the Al Jouf province.

Meanwhile, companies that qualified for the wind farm project include Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power International, Abu Dhabi’s Masdar, and US-based General Electric (GE).

Asian companies that were shortlisted include Korean Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO), and Japan’s JGC Corp. and Marubeni Corp.