Wedoany.com Report-Sept. 21, The Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) has launched the seventh round of the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP), announcing the Request for Qualification (RFQ) for 3.1 GW of solar capacity. This new initiative involves four solar projects, marking another major step in Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy development.

The projects include a 1.4 GW (AC) facility located near Hima, in Al-Jouf province, and a 600 MW (AC) plant planned for Bisha, in Asir province. Additionally, SPPC seeks developers for a 500 MW (AC) project in Madinah and another 600 MW (AC) facility near Mawqaq, in Hail province. Developers selected for these projects will need to follow a build-own-operate (BOO) model, which means they will own and operate the facilities after construction. The deadline for pre-qualification is September 29.

This is the latest phase in a series of procurement rounds launched by SPPC to increase Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy capacity. In September 2024, SPPC initiated a tender for 3 GW of solar capacity, with four projects planned. The biggest of these is a 1.4 GW (AC) project near Hima in Najran province, and another 600 MW (AC) facility near Ad Darb in Jizan province. The other two plants under this round are a 600 MW (AC) project in Jazan and a 400 MW (AC) project near Al Sufun, Hail province.

The previous procurement round, which was completed in October 2024, targeted a 3.7 GW capacity across four projects. The selected bids included the 2 GW (AC) Al Sadawi plant in eastern Saudi Arabia, the 1 GW (AC) Al Masa’a project in northern Hail province, the 400 MW (AC) Al Henakiyah 2 facility in western Madinah province, and the 300 MW (AC) Rabigh 2 array in western Makkah province.

These efforts are part of Saudi Arabia’s broader goal to meet its renewable energy targets and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The country's ambitious plans aim to generate 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, and the NREP is central to achieving this target.