ACWA Power has announced the successful connection of the Sakaka Solar PV Plant, the first renewable energy project in Saudi Arabia, to the national grid
The project has commenced initial production under a pilot phase according to schedule ? with the full commercial operation to be achieved before the end of the year 2019.
The solar project has established a 100 per cent local employment rate within the first year of operation, with 90 per cent of the workforce comprised of the youth of Al Jouf region.
Additionally, Sakaka PV IPP registered more than 30 per cent of contractual local content during the construction and development phases. The project has recorded more than three million safe working hours without any injuries during development and construction.
ACWA Power chairman Mohammad Abunayyan commended the efforts of the partners of the project, noting, in particular, the support of the Ministry of Energy represented by the Renewable Energy Project Development Office (REPDO), from the initial inception of the project to date.
Abunayyan expressed his gratitude towards the Saudi Electricity Company (Principal Buyer) and Al Gihaz Holding (project partner) emphasising on the optimum private-public model the Sakaka model has projected, which will serve as an example for upcoming renewable energy projects as well as contribute to the fulfilment of the Saudi Vision 2030 goals.
The US$320mn Sakaka plant is the first utility-scale renewable energy project in Saudi Arabia under the King Salman Renewable Energy Initiative. Awarded to an ACWA Power-led consortium at a world record tariff of 8.781 halalas/kWh, the 300MW project will supply power to 45,000 of Al Jouf households through clean energy to offset over 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.
