Acwa Power and Total Solar have become major bidders for four solar energy projects across Saudi Arabia, the country’s Ministry of Energy has announced. The four projects have a combined capacity of 1,200MW.
Announcing the shortlisted bidders, the Saudi energy ministry said the competition is the third round of the country’s National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP) and will allow bidding in two categories. The first category includes the 80MW Layla and the 120MW Wadi Al Dawasir solar projects, while the 300W Saad and the 700MW Ar Rass schemes will be offered in the other category.
Of the four solar PV projects that were announced, the Acwa Power consortium (comprising China’ SPIC (Huamghe Hydropower Development Company) and Saudi group WEHC (Water & Electricity Holding Company) has emerged as a major bidder for three of the projects – Layla, Wadi Al Dawasir and Ar Rass. 
The Saudi ministry said that the RFPs were issued in April 2020 for Category A and B projects and noted that three bids were submitted for each project in the second quarter of 2021. Prior to shortlisting, all bids were evaluated to ensure compliance with the RFP’s technical and commercial criteria. The ministry of energy expects to reach commercial closing and financial closing shortly, it noted.
The other shortlisted bidders are Total Solar International (for Wadi Al Dawasir); Alfanar/Asma Capital (for Layla); Jinko Power (for Ar Rass and Saad) and a consortium led by Abu Dhabi-based Masdar with EDF and Nesma (for Saad), the statement concluded.
