Saudi Arabia has issued the request for qualification (REQ) to build a 400MW wind power project in Dumat Al Jandal, situated in the Al Jouf region, thus taking the first step to start a competitive bidding process for the project
Developed by the kingdom?s Renewable Energy Project Development Office (REPDO), it will be Saudi Arabia?s first utility-scale wind project and a part of the first round of National Renewable Energy Programme?s (NREP) plan to tender a total 700MW of solar and wind power project in 2017.
REPDO announced that the RFQ for the Dumat Al Jandal project will close on 10 August 2017, and the qualified companies will proceed to the next stage of request for proposals (RFP), which is due to launch on 29 August 2017 and close in January 2018.
On the basis of their experience in delivering independent power producer (IPP) projects, the qualified companied will proceed as managing members, technical members or both.
A company, which remains unsuccessful to secure the role of either manager or technical, will still be eligible to take part in future RFQs and RFPs under the NREP, according to REPDO.
Commenting on REPDO?s target to generate renewable power project in Saudi Arabia, Khalid Al-Falih, minister of energy, industry and mineral resources, said, ?The release of Dumat Al Jandal?s wind project RFQ, and upcoming RFP next month, ensures that we remain on course to tender 700MW in round one this year. It establishes a foundation that supports our success towards our 2020 and 2023 interim targets.?
In April 2017, REPDO started the initial bidding process for the 300MW solar power project in Sakakah. The deadline for submission will end in September 2017 with the announcement of the winning bid to be made in November 2017.
The NREP has set a target of 9.5 GW of renewable energy by 2023 to support Saudi Vision 2030 and an interim target of 3.45 GW by the end of 2020 under the National Transformation Program (NTP).
