Introduction
Saudi Gulf News: Saudi Arabia has achieved a milestone as per Vision 2030. Kingdom has selected a preferred bidder for hybrid power plant in empty quarter land port. Saudi Arabia wants to illuminate it's far vast desert through clean energy.
 |
| Visual representation of the proposed 25GWh Hybrid Power Plant in the Rub' al Khali desert. |
This project is initiated with support of Zakat, Tax, and Custom Authority (ZATCA) and National Center for Privatization (NCP). The purpose is to provide cheap and reliable electricity to land port situated on Oman and Saudi border.
Key Project Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Name | Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter) Hybrid Power Plant |
| Capacity | 25 Gigawatt-hours (GWh) yearly |
| Technology | Hybrid (Solar PV + Battery Energy Storage System - BESS) |
| Contract Model | DBFOMT (Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Maintain, Transfer) |
| Contract Duration | 25 Years (After Construction) |
| Lead Authority | ZATCA and NCP |
| Preferred Bidders | Lamar Holding, SirajPower, Alfanar (Main Contenders) |
| Primary Goal | To reduce diesel consumption |
Impact of This Project
- Diesel elimination and environment impact: There was dependency on diesel generators in far vast empty quarter areas. Diesel is not only expensive but also transportation is very tough. The carbon emissions can be seen very less and ultimately impact on environment will be less.
- Strategic Impact: Empty quarter land port is an important trade route between Oman and Saudi Arabia. Continuous electricity supply is crucial for border operations, customs, and logistics. Border activities will be fast with the help of this project.
- Economic Efficiency: The benefit of hybrid model is the electricity will be generated through solar panels. Extra electricity will be stored in batteries for night use. Electricity cost will be less in long term.
More Information
Bidding process was very tough for this project. Many big contractors has submitted technical and financial reports for this project in July 2025. SirajPower and Lamar Holding has been counted in preferred list in March 2026. The track record of these companies is very good in renewable energy sector.
The government is not funding this project rather than private sector will finance this project. Company will design, build, and operate for 25 years itself. This plant will be handed over to government (ZATCA) after 25 years. This model is proving to be successful in Saudi Arabia to upgrade infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia has target 50% renewable energy mix as per vision 2030. These small strategic projects show that Kingdom is not involving in giga projects like NEOM or Red Sea. The country is also focusing on border areas and remote desert areas also.
Final Words
This hybrid plant of empty quarter will be a role model for desert region in upcoming time. This will being energy security and provide strengthen to trade corridor. 25 GWh yearly production is a big success which will change the fate of desert land.
Read This: Elsewedy Electric Completes EL SAAD 348.6 MW Solar PV Plant Near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Post a Comment