Firms submit Saudi energy storage prequalifications

28 November 2024

 

Principal buyer Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) has received statements of qualifications (SoQs) from firms keen to participate in a tender for the first batch of independent battery energy storage system (bess) projects in Saudi Arabia.

According to industry sources, interested companies, including international and local developers, submitted their SoQs for the tender on 25 November. 

The group one bess – also called independent storage provider (ISP) – projects will be developed using a build, own and operate (BOO) model.

They comprise the following schemes with a total combined capacity of 2,000MW, which equates to about four hours or 8,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of storage:

  • Al-Muwyah bess ISP: 500MW (Mecca)
  • Haden bess ISP: 500MW (Mecca) 
  • Al-Khushaybi bess ISP: 500MW (Qassim)
  • Al-Kahafa bess ISP: 500MW (Hail)

The successful bidders will hold 100% equity in the special purpose vehicle (SPV) set up to develop and operate each ISP.

The SPVs will enter into a 15-year storage services agreement with the principal buyer.

According to SPPC, the newly launched energy storage programme will enable the kingdom’s energy mix to contain 50% renewable energy by 2030 while enhancing the reliability and resilience of the electric power system.

MEED reported in May this year that SPPC was several months away from seeking developers’ interest in the contract to develop and operate the 2,000MW first phase of an energy storage system catering to the kingdom’s electricity grid.

It is understood that SPPC plans to procure up to 10,000MW of bess capacity by 2030.

The principal buyer conducted a market-sounding event for the project in December 2023, in line with a plan to launch the procurement process for one-fifth of this capacity this year.

The planned bess facilities are to be built near demand centres. As more renewable energy enters the electricity production mix, they will boost the grid’s spinning reserves.

Bess comprises rechargeable batteries that can store and discharge energy from various sources when needed. It is one of the key solutions being considered to address the intermittency of renewable energy sources.

US/India-based Synergy Consulting is advising SPPC on the energy storage capacity procurement programme.

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Jennifer Aguinaldo
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