US-based GlassPoint, an enclosed trough concentrated solar power (CSP) technology provider, has partnered with the Ministry of Investment Saudi Arabia (Misa) to build a solar manufacturing facility in the Eastern Province of the kingdom.

The previously Oman-backed GlassPoint aims to decarbonise industrial process heat through a patented technology.

At full capacity, the planned factory will produce enough renewable energy technology annually to generate 5,000 tonnes of solar steam a day, which will be sufficient to offset 4 million British thermal units (MMBtus) of gas and reduce carbon emissions by 200,000 tonnes each year.

Technology manufactured in the facility will be used for projects in the metals and mining, building materials and other industrial sectors. 

GlassPoint’s enclosed trough CSP technology uses large, curved mirrors to focus sunlight on a boiler tube containing water. The concentrated energy boils the water to produce high-quality steam, which is fed into existing industrial operations.

A self-cleaning structure encloses and protects the solar collectors from wind, sand and dust. The structure protects the operational environment, enabling the use of lightweight mirrors and components.

According to Rod MacGregor, CEO and founder of GlassPoint, the new facilities will help deploy renewable energy across the kingdom to help meet its targets to generate 50 per cent of its power from renewable sources by 2030 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.

"By helping decarbonise the industrial sector, we will improve the climate impact of hard-to-abate industries across the region, and help meet the rising demand for low-carbon materials,” MacGregor said.

Under the partnership, Misa will provide support and advisory services. GlassPoint will provide technology and operational expertise.

In June last year, GlassPoint signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden) to develop Maaden Solar 1, potentially the world’s largest solar process heat plant.

To be located in Saudi Arabia’s Ras al-Khair region, Maaden Solar 1 will be 1,500 megawatt-thermal when complete, Maaden said.