The Ministry of Energy of Saudi Arabia has shortlisted bidders for the Round Two of its National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) that is offering nearly 1.5 GW of solar PV capacity to be developed by independent power producers (IPP). For the Round Two Category A including the 50 MW Madinah PV project and the 20 MW Rafha PV projects, two consortia were shortlisted, one led by Al Blagha Holding and one led by First Solar. Bid prices ranged between SAR7.27c/kWh (US$1.94c/kWh) and SAR19.04c/kWh (US$5.08c/kWh).
The Round Two Category B includes four PV projects totalling 1,400 MW. Two bidders were shortlisted for the 600 MW Al-Faisaliah PV project, namely MASDAR and ACWA Power, whose bids were very close; the Ministry of Energy will thus proceed with a Best and Final Offer (BAFO) and will announce the results in April 2020. A consortium led by ACWA Power with Gulf Investment Corporation and Al-Babtain Contracting Company was shortlisted for the three other projects, namely the 300 MW Jeddah PV project, the 300 MW Rabigh PV project and the 200 MW Qurrayat PV project. In addition, a consortium of Masdar, EDF and Nesma was shortlisted for the 300 MW Jeddah PV project, while a consortium of Marubeni and Al Jomaih Energy and Water Company was shortlisted for the 300 MW Rabigh PV project. Finally, a consortium of Total, Al Gihaz and Altaaqa Alternative Solutions was shortlisted for the 200 MW Qurrayat PV project. Bid prices ranged between SAR6.09c/kWh (US$1.62c/kWh) and SAR6.79c/kWh (US$1.8c/kWh).
Successful bidders will enter into a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) as offtaker.
Do you want to become an expert on renewable energies auctions?
Discover our very detailed and regularly updated RES auctions database with worldwide coverage and a technical focus backed by academic research.
With our renewable energies auctions service you will be able to monitor auctions at a global level. Its (expanding) scope notably includes all major G20 countries and offers an especially fine tracking on Europe and South America.