Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has invited expressions of interest for the developments of two solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in the north of the kingdom. While their combined capacity is only 100MW – equivalent to 0.1% of Saudi Arabia’s end-2014 generating capacity of 76.8GW – this is four times the kingdom’s existing solar generating capacity.
Following on from another 50MW project announced in mid-2015, the two latest solar projects may represent a tipping point in Saudi renewables progress. The cause for optimism is that Riyadh this week also trumpeted its National Transformation Program 2020, which among broader economic targets sets pragmatic medium-term renewables objectives (MEES, 10 June). (CONTINUED - 880 WORDS)
