BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 29. Masdar, a global
clean energy leader, announced that it has secured two large-scale
solar PV projects in Saudi Arabia, with a combined capacity of 2
GW, under the sixth round of the Kingdom’s National Renewable
Energy Program (NREP), Trend reports.
The projects include the 1,400-MW Najran plant and the 600-MW Ad
Darb facility. Both will be developed on a build, own, and operate
(BOO) basis, supported by 25-year power purchase agreements (PPAs)
signed with the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC). The Ad Darb
plant, located in Jizan Province, is expected to start commercial
operations in late 2027, while the Najran facility, based in Najran
Province, is scheduled for the first half of 2028.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Masdar’s CEO, said, “Masdar is proud
to support Saudi Arabia in achieving its Vision 2030 renewable
energy targets. Winning the Najran and Ad Darb projects marks a
significant expansion of our Saudi portfolio and reflects our two
decades of experience in developing and operating utility-scale
renewable projects. We look forward to contributing to the
Kingdom’s sustainable economic growth.”
The SPPC, responsible for predevelopment studies, tendering
projects, and signing PPAs, has awarded a total capacity of 43.2 GW
to date, with 12.3 GW already connected to the grid. Masdar has
consistently secured the largest capacity in SPPC’s competitive
bidding for three consecutive years. Its other solar projects in
development include the 1,100-MW Al Henakiyah project, expected to
begin operations next year, and the 2,000-MW Al Sadawi project,
scheduled for 2027.
Founded in 2006, Masdar is a clean energy investor, developer,
and operator with a global portfolio exceeding 51 GW. The company
aims to reach 100GW by 2030. Its operational projects in Saudi
Arabia include the 300-MW Jeddah Solar Power Plant and the 400-MW
Dumat Al Jandal Wind Farm, the Kingdom’s first wind project and the
largest in the Middle East. Masdar opened a Saudi office in 2022 to
further support the country’s clean energy ambitions.
