Acwa Power widens equity gap in power developer league
2 October 2023
The equity gap between Saudi utility developer Acwa Power and the other private utility developers in the GCC region has continued to widen, according to MEED’s annual GCC power developer ranking.
Acwa Power’s net capacity reached 13,340MW. This has doubled its lead to 67 per cent over France’s Engie, whose net capacity of 7,987MW has remained unchanged.
Over the past 12 months, power-purchase agreements were signed for six solar independent power producer (IPP) projects, as well as for a multi-utility public-private partnership contract and a cogeneration plant.
The seven contracts have a total combined power generation capacity of more than 8,000MW.
Acwa Power gained more than 2,900MW in net capacity over this period. This was due in large part to a 35 per cent equity share in the 2,060MW Shuaibah 2 solar power project and a 50 per cent shareholding in each of the Saad 2, Ar-Rass 2 and Kahfah solar photovoltaic (PV) projects.
These contracts were procured by the kingdom's Public Investment Fund (PIF) through the Saudi renewable energy price discovery scheme.
Notably, the 600MW Shuaibah 1 solar IPP scheme, which was publicly tendered and awarded to an Acwa Power-led consortium under the second round of the National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP) in 2021, has been combined with the PIF’s Shuaibah 2.
Under the final scheme, which reached financial close this year, Acwa Power’s shares in Shuaibah 1 decreased from 50 per cent to 35 per cent. The shares of its partners Gulf Investment Corporation and Al-Babtain, which originally maintained 30 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively, have been bought by PIF subsidiary the Water & Electricity Holding Company (Badeel) and Saudi Aramco Power Company (Sapco).
As with Engie, the net and gross capacities of Japanese firms Marubeni, Mitsui, Sumitomo and Jera also remained unchanged, with no new contract wins in the period.
Ranked 10th in the previous year’s listing, France’s EDF rose three spots this year to claim seventh place, which was previously held by Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco).
EDF’s rise came as a result of winning contracts for two major schemes. It was selected together with South Korea’s Korea Western Power Company (Kowepo) to develop Oman’s 500MW Manah 1 solar IPP project, and was also awarded a multi-utility contract with the UAE’s Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) for the Amaala development in Saudi Arabia, which includes a 250MW solar power farm.
EDF overtook Kepco despite the South Korean firm’s successful bid for the Jafurah cogeneration plant, where it maintains a 60 per cent equity. The scheme’s power generation plant has a capacity of 320MW.
Singapore’s Sembcorp and China’s Jinko Power, which comprise the team that won the Manah 2 solar IPP contract in Oman, occupy the ninth and 10th spots, respectively.
Saudi utility developer Aljomaih Energy & Water Company relinquished its 10th spot last year.
Power tariffs have scope to improve
A different view
Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy price discovery tool is becoming a potential game-changer for the competitive landscape of GCC power developers.
It allows Acwa Power to submit a proposal to match the most recent prices obtained through each round of the NREP public tendering process, which is overseen by the state-backed principal buyer, Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC).
Under the price discovery scheme, the PIF will only invite other developers to bid for a contract if Acwa Power fails to match prices achieved through the public tenders.
Acwa Power has so far won all five of these contracts, which have a total combined capacity of 8,110MW.
Since the PIF is tasked with procuring 70 per cent of Saudi Arabia’s 58,700MW renewable energy capacity target by 2030, the Saudi sovereign wealth vehicle is expected to procure a further 32,000MW of renewable capacity over the coming years using the price discovery scheme.
Given the scale of the PIF’s programme, and the extent to which it has expanded Acwa Power’s renewables portfolio this year, a separate league table that includes only IPPs and independent water and power producer (IWPP) projects that have been publicly tendered, or simultaneously tendered to a pool of qualified private utility developers, offers interesting insights.
Excluding the PIF contracts reveals that the ranking of the private utility developers based on their net capacity – or the capacity commensurate to a developer’s equity shareholding in each power generation asset – is unchanged. Acwa Power remains at the top, with a total equity capacity of more than 9,800MW, compared to Engie’s nearly 8,000MW.
However, their gross capacity rankings reverse when the PIF contracts are excluded. Engie leads by 4 per cent in terms of gross capacity, or the total capacity of power plants that they are developing alone or with consortium partners.
Gas revival
No new gas-fired IPP or IWPP projects have been let in the GCC since 2021, when most principal buyers and utilities began to focus on increasing their renewable energy capacity in line with their countries’ decarbonisation agendas.
With the exception of the UAE's Fujairah F3 and Saudi Aramco’s Tanajib and Jafurah cogeneration plants, solar and wind power plants have accounted for the majority of private power generation capacity that has been procured since 2020.
This is set to change in the next 12-24 months as renewed demand for combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plants is driven by the need to decommission old fleets that burn liquid fuel, or to replace expiring baseload capacity.
As of September this year, gas-fired power plants account for approximately 60 per cent of the GCC region's planned power generation plants that are likely to be awarded in the next 24 months, according to MEED research.
The bid evaluation process is under way for four gas-fired IPPs in Saudi Arabia with a total combined capacity of 7,200MW. These are the first gas-fired IPP schemes to be procured by the kingdom since 2016.
A further three IWPP schemes – Kuwait's Al-Zour North 2 & 3 and Al-Khiran 1 and Qatar’s Facility E – are in the procurement stage. These schemes have a total combined power generation capacity of 6,800MW.
Next year, SPPC is expected to begin the procurement process for two gas-fired IPPs: the PP15 in Riyadh and another in Al-Khafji. Each is expected to have power generation capacity of 3,600MW.
Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Water & Electricity Company (Ewec) is also expected to initiate the procurement process for two CCGT plants with a total combined capacity of 2,500MW before the end of 2023.
Renewable arena
The revival of gas-fired schemes will not necessarily come at the expense of renewables, however.
The region’s largest market has ramped up its issuance of solar and wind tenders over the past 12 months and is expected to sustain or even accelerate the pace of its renewables procurement.
Saudi Arabia needs to procure at least 43,000MW of renewable energy capacity through public tenders and direct negotiations over the next six years to meet its 2030 target. This equates to about 7,200MW a year – twice its current average.
Overall, the future strength of the market for private utility developers is ensured by a growing clientele in Saudi Arabia that includes Neom and its subsidiary Enowa, in addition to the utilities in the other five GCC states, and the large conglomerates and organisations that aim to build captive power plants.
A case in point is the 35,000MW of solar and wind energy projects are in the pre-development stage for Neom, which aims to be powered 100 per cent by renewable energy by 2030.
Abu Dhabi also plans to procure at least 1,500MW of solar PV capacity annually over the next 10 years, in line with its goals for decarbonising its electricity system.
Developers’ dilemma
A Dubai-based executive with one of the international developers active in the region says: “It has been a very busy year for us. If all of these plans come through in the next 12-24 months, it will be even busier.”
The executive is unsure whether all the planned gas-fired projects will materialise, however. “We have been here before, and some of these projects have experienced major delays in the past for reasons that are not even related to decarbonisation or net-zero targets.”
Given the GCC states' carbon emissions reduction targets and the recent easing of supply chain constraints, solar and wind IPPs appear to offer greater certainty for utility developers, many of which are also beholden to internal decarbonisation targets that include a reduction of their existing thermal fleets.
The contracts for five solar and three wind IPPs in the region are expected to be awarded soon.
Masdar has outpriced Acwa Power for the 1,800MW sixth phase of Dubai’s Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum Solar Park project. A team of EDF and Kowepo has also submitted the lowest bid for the 1,500MW Al-Ajban solar PV IPP in Abu Dhabi.
In addition, SPPC has shortlisted bidders for two solar PV IPPs with a total combined capacity of 1,500MW under the NREP fourth round. It also expects to receive bids soon for three wind IPPs with a total combined capacity of 1,800MW.
Tenders for the NREP’s fifth round and Abu Dhabi’s fourth utility-scale solar PV farm are also expected imminently.
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MEED’s April 2025 report on Saudi Arabia includes:
> GOVERNMENT: Riyadh takes the diplomatic initiative
> ECONOMY: Saudi Arabia’s non-oil economy forges onward
> BANKING: Saudi banks work to keep pace with credit expansion
> UPSTREAM: Saudi oil and gas spending to surpass 2024 level
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> WATER: Saudi water contracts set another annual record
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> DATABANK: Saudi Arabia’s growth trend heads uphttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/13599792/main4910.jpg -
Riyadh takes the diplomatic initiative
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Saudi Arabia has been at the centre of regional diplomatic activity through the early months of 2025, positioning itself as an intermediary in the Ukraine conflict and at the forefront of engagement with the new regime in Syria.
The role of regional mediator is one that has in recent years been more closely associated with Qatar – particularly in relation to the Gaza conflict – and, on occasion, Oman.
Riyadh’s decision to throw its weight behind diplomatic initiatives is part of what Abdulaziz Sager, chairman of the Saudi-based Gulf Research Centre, has described as a “bold multi-alignment strategy”, which seeks to balance Riyadh’s economic and security concerns and its regional leadership ambitions.
Multipronged initiatives
The kingdom has gained plaudits for its efforts to resolve the Ukraine war in particular. Following his talks with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) in Jeddah on 11 March, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: “Saudi Arabia provides a crucial platform for diplomacy, and we appreciate this.”
Zelenskyy added that he had “a detailed discussion on the steps and conditions needed to end the war” with the crown prince.
The previous month, US secretary of state Marco Rubio had said Saudi Arabia had played an “indispensable role” in setting up bilateral negotiations between Moscow and Washington to discuss the conflict.
Russia’s President Vladamir Putin has also praised the Saudi leadership for providing a platform for high-level meetings with the US and “creating a very friendly atmosphere”.
Whether all this leads to a lasting peace deal for Ukraine remains to be seen, but Saudi Arabia’s attitude to conflict may be coloured somewhat by its own experiences over the past decade in Yemen.
It is now 10 years since it launched a bombing campaign against Yemen’s Houthi rebels in March 2015, and the war has not gone as Riyadh had hoped, with the Houthis proving far more resilient than anticipated.
Saudi Arabia’s southern border has at least been relatively quiet since a truce took hold in 2022, but a comprehensive peace deal has proved elusive.
Riyadh has also been re-engaging in the Levant this year, in light of the new regime in Damascus.
The new Syrian president Ahmed Al-Sharaa travelled to Riyadh in early February, on his first trip abroad since taking power. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan had been in Damascus a week earlier.
There are some key issues at stake for Riyadh. The regime of President Bashar Al-Assad had overseen the industrial-scale production of the amphetamine-type stimulant Captagon, much of which was smuggled into Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. Saudi efforts to disrupt the trade – both at its borders and via lobbying of the Syrian authorities – had failed to stem the flow of drugs.
In addition, Hasan Alhasan, senior fellow for Middle East Policy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, has pointed out that between 500,000 and 2.5 million de facto Syrian refugees are thought to be living in Saudi Arabia – a fact that gives Riyadh a clear interest in Syria’s stability, particularly if it wants to encourage them to return home.
“Saudi Arabia views the fall of the Assad regime as an opportunity to reassert its influence in the Levant,” he asserted in a recent commentary.
The ousting of Assad in late 2024 and the recent Israeli campaign against Hezbollah has also changed the situation on the ground in Lebanon, encouraging Saudi Arabia to reconsider its approach there too.
MBS hosted Lebanon’s recently elected President Joseph Aoun on 3 March. Following their meeting, Saudi Arabia said it would look again at allowing Lebanese exports to Saudi Arabia and letting its own citizens travel to Lebanon.
Manoeuvring around Trump
The Saudi diplomatic push may also be motivated by a desire to ensure that relations with Washington remain on a positive footing in the wake of Donald Trump’s re-election as US president.
At first, it appeared that the bilateral relations would follow a similar pattern to Trump’s first term.
In January, MBS said in a phone call with Trump that Saudi Arabia was planning to invest some $600bn in the US over the coming four years, which the US president suggested should probably be increased to $1tn. This echoed the signing of $460bn-worth of defence deals when Trump made Saudi Arabia his first foreign trip as president in May 2017.
Riyadh appears to have conceded to Trump’s higher figure, with the US president saying in early March: “I said I'll go if you pay $1tn to American companies, meaning the purchase over a four-year period of $1tn, and they've agreed to do that. So, I'm going to be going there.”
However, other aspects of the bilateral relationship are more difficult and less predictable. Trump had been pushing Saudi Arabia to join Bahrain, the UAE and Morocco in normalising relations with Israel, but in light of the war in Gaza and Trump’s own plans for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from the strip, that looks like a stretch too far.
Trump will nevertheless have been pleased by the decision by Saudi Arabia and the other members of the Opec+ bloc in early March to unwind some of the production restrictions they had voluntarily agreed.
From April onwards, the eight-strong group will start to bring 2.2 million barrels a day back onto the market over the course of 18 months. That fits in with Trump’s call in January, soon after taking office, for Riyadh and Opec to do more to help bring oil prices down.
However, that decision may also create fiscal challenges for the Saudi government, as any rise in production could be more than offset by lower prices.
Saudi Aramco has announced plans to trim its dividend payouts this year to $85.4bn – down from $124bn in 2024. These payments are a vital source of revenues both for the central government and for its Public Investment Fund (which holds a 16% stake in Aramco)
All that could force some public sector spending constraint in the kingdom, in a sign that balancing diplomacy and financial interests is not always straightforward.
MEED’s April 2025 report on Saudi Arabia includes:
> UPSTREAM: Saudi oil and gas spending to surpass 2024 level
> DOWNSTREAM: Aramco’s recalibrated chemical goals reflect realism
> POWER: Saudi power sector enters busiest year
> WATER: Saudi water contracts set another annual record
> CONSTRUCTION: Reprioritisation underpins Saudi construction
> TRANSPORT: Riyadh pushes ahead with infrastructure development
> BANKING: Saudi banks work to keep pace with credit expansionhttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/13483143/main.gif -
Investing in Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure opportunities
2 April 2025
With a background in private banking and asset management, Edmond de Rothschild is an established player in infrastructure investment. Since launching its infrastructure platform in 2014, the firm has raised over $6.5bn, ranking among Europe’s top infrastructure debt investors.
The bank prides itself on a conviction-led approach. “We at Edmond de Rothschild are a company that has convictions. Private markets are not a broad, generalist approach for us; we adopt a highly focused strategy, particularly in infrastructure,” says Jean-Francis Dusch, CEO of Edmond de Rothschild Asset Management UK and global head of infrastructure and structured finance.
This strategic approach has allowed Edmond de Rothschild to establish itself as a key player in infrastructure finance, growing from a small team of fewer than 10 people in 2014 to one that has now raised billions in capital. “We decided to focus first on real estate, then private equity with very specific strategies, and finally infrastructure, where we maintain a global approach,” says Dusch.
Edmond de Rothschild initially engaged in advisory services for governments and private consortiums, providing expertise in project implementation. The firm’s work in the public-private partnership (PPP) space led to the development of a dedicated infrastructure lending platform. “In less than 10 months from the initial idea being discussed, we raised $400m. Fast forward to today, and we have now raised more than $6.5bn, positioning us as a major player in infrastructure debt,” says Dusch.
Saudi infrastructure
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has set the stage for significant infrastructure development, and Edmond de Rothschild is positioning itself to play a crucial role. “Saudi Arabia is already the largest infrastructure market in the region, and we see significant opportunities to contribute,” says Dusch.
A major part of Edmond de Rothschild’s approach focuses on debt financing rather than equity. “The platform I represent is dedicated to debt. There has been a lot of equity investment from the kingdom and the strong regional banks, as well as large global banks. However, as infrastructure investment accelerates, we anticipate a liquidity gap that we can help bridge,” says Dusch.
This is particularly relevant given Saudi Arabia’s ambitious infrastructure programmes. “With Vision 2030 driving development, the need for private liquidity will increase. Our goal is to provide that liquidity in a structured way, supporting sustainable capital structures while ensuring robust returns for investors,” he says.
To reinforce its commitment, Edmond de Rothschild has established a local joint venture in Saudi Arabia.
The firm takes a diversified approach to infrastructure, ensuring it remains at the forefront of evolving sector trends. “Ten years ago, infrastructure was primarily about transport and social infrastructure,” says Dusch. “But we have always believed it also includes renewable energy, digital infrastructure and decarbonisation efforts.”
The shift toward digital infrastructure has been particularly notable. “The rise of AI and data-driven technologies has increased demand for digital infrastructure. Sustainable data centres, fibre optics and digital connectivity are becoming key pillars of modern infrastructure investment,” says Dusch.
Edmond de Rothschild’s portfolio comprises a mix of greenfield and brownfield infrastructure projects. “As a project financier, our natural inclination is to focus on new projects. However, when managing
investor capital, we also look at brownfield projects that require modernisation. About 30% of our portfolio is greenfield, and 70% is brownfield,” says Dusch.This focus aligns with the evolving nature of infrastructure investment. “Assets need to be modernised,
especially in energy transition and digitalisation,” he says. “Many brownfield projects are still in a growth phase, so while they are technically existing assets, they require significant new investment.”Broader region
While Saudi Arabia is the focus, Edmond de Rothschild is also eyeing broader regional expansion. “Our goal is to develop a multibillion-dollar infrastructure programme in the region, as we did in Europe. The first step is Saudi Arabia, where we have strong local partners. However, we aim to expand our coverage to other GCC countries over time,” says Dusch.
We don’t need to do everything – we focus on areas where we can add real value
This approach mirrors the firm’s European expansion strategy. “In Europe, we started with a focused mandate in core markets and gradually expanded,” he says. “We plan to follow a similar trajectory in the Middle East, leveraging our experience and track record to drive growth.”
One of the critical questions for international investors is whether Saudi projects are investment-ready. “It’s a mix,” he acknowledges. “Like in Europe, large programmes are announced, and while not every project is immediately ready, there is a concrete pipeline of opportunities.”
Edmond de Rothschild sees particular potential in small to mid-sized projects. “The debt instruments we offer are currently more suited to small and medium-sized projects rather than megaprojects. However, as the market evolves, we anticipate broader participation,” he says.
Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure financing model is also undergoing a shift. “Previously, infrastructure was largely government-led with a first-generation PPP approach. Now, we are seeing more private sector initiatives. Europe has largely transitioned to private infrastructure development, and Saudi Arabia is following a similar path,” says Dusch.
Long-term commitment
With infrastructure demand growing across sectors, Edmond de Rothschild will remain selective with its strategy. “We don’t need to do everything – we focus on areas where we can add real value. That is what has made us successful, and that’s the approach we will continue in Saudi Arabia and beyond.”
MEED’s April 2025 report on Saudi Arabia includes:
> UPSTREAM: Saudi oil and gas spending to surpass 2024 level
> DOWNSTREAM: Aramco’s recalibrated chemical goals reflect realism
> POWER: Saudi power sector enters busiest year
> WATER: Saudi water contracts set another annual record
> CONSTRUCTION: Reprioritisation underpins Saudi construction
> TRANSPORT: Riyadh pushes ahead with infrastructure development
> BANKING: Saudi banks work to keep pace with credit expansionhttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/13550738/main.jpg