Riyadh – Mubasher: ACWA Power announced the successful connection of the Sakaka Solar PV Plant, Saudi Arabia’s first renewable energy project, to the national grid.
The SAR 1.2 billion solar energy project has commenced initial production under a pilot phase. Full commercial operation is scheduled before the end of 2019, according to a company statement on Tuesday.
ACWA Power revealed that the project was built with 100% local employment rate within the first year of operation, with 90% of the workforce comprised by the youth of Al Jouf region, where the complex is located.
Moreover, the 300-megawatt (MW) project registered over 30% of contractual local content during the construction and development phases, and recorded more than 3 million safe working hours without any injuries during the development and construction.
“The successful energizing of Sakaka PV IPP is a remarkable testament to the work progress that has been ongoing at the project. We are confident to deliver the project on schedule and commercial operation of the plant before the end of this year at the highest levels of quality, safety, and security,” said ACWA Power Chairman, Mohammad Abunayyan.
The Chairman added that the project helps accelerate the pace of renewable energy utilisation across the Kingdom, in line with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030.
It is worth noting that the Sakaka plant is the first utility-scale renewable energy project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the King Salman Renewable Energy Initiative. It will supply power to 45,000 of Al Jouf households, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 500 tonnes annually.
The project was awarded to an ACWA Power-led consortium at a world record tariff of 8.781 halalas per kilowatt-hour (kWh) ($0.024/kWh).
