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Saudi Arabia awards 4.5 GW of solar and wind capacity in latest auction

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The Saudi government has awarded 4.5 GW of new solar and wind capacity under the sixth round of its National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP) auction (Saudi Press Agency, 27/10/2025). A total of five projects (one wind and four solar) were awarded that will require investments estimated at SAR9bn (US$2.4bn):

  • Masdar's 1.4 GW Najran solar project in the Najran region (LCOE of US$1.1c/kWh, i.e., the second-lowest cost of electricity generation from solar after the Shuaiba 1 project) and 600 MW Ad Darb solar project in Jazan province (LCOE of US$1.36c/kWh);
  • The 600 MW Samtah solar project in Jazan province, developed by SEC and EDF, has a LCOE of US$1.49c/kWh;
  • The 400 MW Sufun solar project in Hail Province, developed by Al Jomaih Energy & Water Company (AEW) holding, and TotalEnergies Renewables, has a LCOE of US$1.51c/kWh;
  • The 1.5 GW Dawadmi wind project, developed by KEPCO, Nesma Renewable Energy Company, and Etihad Water and Electricity Company, will be located in the Riyadh Province; it has set a record on the lowest price for wind power generation at US$1.33c/kWh.

With the addition of these projects, Saudi Arabia expects to increase its renewable capacity to 43.2 GW, of which 12.3 GW has already been connected to the national grid.