Saudi Arabia issues RFQ for solar projects
RIYADH, January 12, 2020
Saudi Arabia has issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for Round Three of the kingdom’s National Renewable Energy Program (NREP), which comprises four solar PV projects with a combined generation capacity of 1,200 MW.
The programme aims to build up solar power generation capacity in the kingdom. The RFQ was issued by the Renewable Energy Project Development Office (Repdo) of the Ministry of Energy, a Saudi Press Agency report said.
The RFQ window closes on February 6. Prospective bidders can access RFQ documents through the program’s dedicated procurement portal at: www.powersaudiarabia.com.sa
Round Three projects will be divided into two categories: Category A, which targets smaller companies and includes the Layla 80 MW solar PV and Wadi Al Dawaser 120 MW solar PV projects; while Category B includes the Saad 300 MW solar PV and Ar Rass 700 MW solar PV projects.
Eng. Faisal Al-Yemni, head of Repdo stated that the projects within Round Three will carry a minimum requirement of 17% local content as calculated by the mechanism defined by the Local Content & Government Procurement Authority, which aims to increase the value-added contribution of products and services in the national economy.
Launched in 2017, Repdo tendered the first round of renewable energy projects, which included Sakaka 300 MW solar PV project, now connected to the national electricity grid, and the Dumat Al Jandal 400 MW wind project, currently under construction.
On July 18, 2019, Repdo launched Round Two of the NREP which comprised six solar PV projects amounting to 1,470 MW. The deadline for receiving proposals for Round Two projects is January 20, and February 3, 2020, for categories B and A, respectively.
