Saudi Arabia Reveals Bidders for 3rd Phase of Renewable Energy Projects

A solar plant is seen in Uyayna, north of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia April 10, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
A solar plant is seen in Uyayna, north of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia April 10, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
TT

Saudi Arabia Reveals Bidders for 3rd Phase of Renewable Energy Projects

A solar plant is seen in Uyayna, north of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia April 10, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
A solar plant is seen in Uyayna, north of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia April 10, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser

The Saudi Ministry of Energy announced the list of bidders of 1,200 MW Saudi renewable energy projects, consisting of four independent generation projects (IPP).

This phase consists of four independent solar photovoltaic generation projects with a total capacity of 1,200 megawatts, divided into two categories.

In a statement, the ministry said that the first category consists of the Wadi Al-Dawasir project with a capacity of 120 MW and the Laila project with a capacity of 80 MW.

The second category consists of the Al-Rass project with a capacity of 700 MW and the Saad project with a capacity of 300 MW.

The ministry added that a Request for Proposal brochure was issued for the two category B projects on April 8, 2020, and the two category A projects on April 22, 2020. Three bids were submitted for each of the four projects during the second quarter of 2021.

The winning bids will sign power purchase agreements for a period of 25 years with the Saudi Energy Procurement Company. ACWA Power, French Total Solar Company and AlFanar Energy Company were among the bidders.

All four projects are required to comply with local content requirements based on the mechanisms identified by the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority, the ministry underlined.

This comes as part of the efforts of the Ministry of Energy to achieve the objectives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ renewable energy initiative.

The initiative aims to increase the percentage of renewable energy to reach the optimal mix, raise the efficiency of the electricity sector, and achieve environmental goals by reducing carbon dioxide emissions, as well as the economic goals of reducing dependence on liquid fuels in electricity production.



Putin, Al-Sudani Discuss OPEC+ Coordination on Oil Price Stability

Russian President Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin
TT

Putin, Al-Sudani Discuss OPEC+ Coordination on Oil Price Stability

Russian President Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Thursday discussed the importance of coordination between OPEC and OPEC+ members on oil price stability in a manner that guarantees fair prices for exporters and consumers.

Putin held a phone call with al-Sudani during which they discussed the OPEC+ oil agreement and the situation in the Middle East, the Kremlin said.

The telephone conversation came days prior to an OPEC+ key meeting expected early next month.

Reuters said that OPEC+ may push back output increases again when it meets on Dec. 1 due to weak global oil demand, according to three OPEC+ sources familiar with the discussions. Ministers last shelved the increase for a month when they met virtually on Nov. 3.

In a statement, the Kremlin on Thursday said Putin and Al-Sudani touched upon various aspects of coordination as part of OPEC+, a format that helps maintain stability in the global oil market, and reaffirmed the importance of continuing to coordinate steps in this format.

The Middle East issues were also mentioned in light of the unprecedented escalation of tensions in the region, it added.

The parties also agreed on further contacts at various levels, the statement said.

Later, Al-Sudani’s office said the phone call touched on energy-related matters, highlighting the importance of coordination among all concerned countries within OPEC and the OPEC+ group to stabilize oil and gas prices, ensuring fair pricing for both producers and consumers.