DNV, the independent energy expert and assurance provider, has acted as technical consultant to Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC), during the development of the Sudair 1.5 GW solar PV project.
DNV supported SPPC for over two years with a scope of work that included preparation of project protocol documents, setting the technical conditions of the project, such as project grid interconnection requirements, technical aspects of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and the transmission connection agreement. Furthermore, DNV assisted SPPC in the negotiations leading to the execution of the PPA.
DNV – SPPC partnership
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is blessed with significant natural resources and is aiming for 50% of its energy to come from renewables by 2030. This solar farm is considered to be a flagship project within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and an important step towards realizing the country’s energy transition plans.
Santiago Blanco, the Vice President and Area Manager of Energy Systems - Southern Europe, Middle East and Africa and Latin America, at DNV, said “We are delighted to have supported Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) in obtaining PPA signoff on the impressive 1.5 GW Sudair Solar PV project.”
Sudair 1.5 GW Solar PV project
The Sudair 1.5 GW Solar PV project is sponsored by a consortium led by ACWA Power
He adds, “This will be among the largest PV plants in the world and the biggest within Saudi Arabia, which highlights the visionary energy transition plans the country has. Supporting such a project aligns with the values we have within DNV of enabling the energy transition globally.”
The Sudair 1.5 GW Solar PV project is sponsored by a consortium led by ACWA Power and backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth Public Investment Fund (PIF). The consortium has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with SPPC and has made an investment of SAR 3.4 billion (US$ 907 million) in the 1.5 GW solar park.
Part of Saudi Arabia’s energy transition plans
The first phase of the project is expected to begin producing electricity, during the second half of 2022 and when fully operational, the Sudair Solar PV project is set to become one of the world’s largest solar PV plants by capacity.
Located in Sudair Industrial City, in Saudi Arabia, the plant will meet the energy needs of 185,000 homes and reduce carbon emissions by about 2.9 million tons annually.
