Related Articles

• 
  SPPC moves Dawadmi wind bid deadline

  22 May 2025

  

   

  Saudi Arabia’s principal buyer, Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC), has extended the bid deadline for the contract to develop a wind independent power project (IPP) under the sixth round of Saudi Arabia’s National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP).

  MEED reported in March that the prequalified developers had formed consortiums and were preparing their proposals for the contract, the fifth wind IPP to be tendered under the NREP.

  SPPC initially expected to receive bids by 15 May, but the deadline has since been extended to 23 June, according to industry sources.

  The new deadline is likely to be extended again, however, one of the sources told MEED.

  The consortiums that have been formed and will likely bid for the contract include teams led separately by UAE-based Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and French firms Engie and EDF Renewables, sources said.

  MEED understands that Beijing-based PowerChina and one of its subsidiaries are part of separate bidding consortiums. 

  Located in Riyadh, the Dawadmi wind IPP will have a capacity of 1,500MW. It is the only wind scheme and the fifth package under round six of the the NREP.

  Four solar photovoltaic (PV) schemes, with a total combined capacity of 3,000MW, comprise the rest of the round six projects. 

  In addition to the firms cited above, SPPC prequalified the following companies to bid as managing and technical members of consortiums bidding for the contract:

  • Marubeni Corporation (Japan)
  • Sembcorp Utilities (Singapore)
  • Sumitomo Corporation (Japan)
  • Total Energies Renewables (France)
  • Goldwind Science & Technology (China)
  • Alfanar Company
  • SPIC Huanghe Hydropower Development

  The following eight companies were prequalified to bid as managing members:

  • Al-Jomaih Energy & Water (local)
  • Jinko Power (Hong Kong)
  • Saudi Electricity Company (local)
  • China Power Engineering Consulting Group International Engineering Company (China)
  • Posco International Corporation (South Korea)
  • Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco, South Korea)
  • Nareva Holding (Morocco)
  • Jera (Japan)

  Another firm, the local Nesma Renewable Company, has been prequalified as a technical member.

  In addition to the Dawadmi wind IPP, the following schemes comprise round six of the NREP:

  • 1,400MW Najran solar PV IPP (Najran)
  • 600MW Samtah solar PV IPP (Jizan)
  • 600MW Al-Darb solar PV IPP (Jizan)
  • 400MW Al-Sufun solar PV IPP (Hail)

  These schemes take the total capacity of solar and wind projects publicly tendered by SPPC to almost 15,000MW.

  SPPC is responsible for the pre-development, tendering and subsequent offtaking of the energy from the projects.

  US/India-based Synergy Consulting is providing financial advisory services to SPPC for the NREP sixth-round tender. Germany’s Fichtner Consulting and US-headquartered CMS are providing technical and legal consultancy services, respectively.

  The previous wind farms that SPPC has tendered include the 400MW Dumat Al-Jandal wind IPP, which is operational.

  Last year, SPPC signed the power-purchase agreements with Japan’s Marubeni Corporation for the contracts to develop and operate the 600MW Al-Ghat and 500MW Waad Al-Shamal wind IPPs. The projects reached financial close in November.

  The third wind IPP, a 750MW scheme in Yanbu, is undergoing review.

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  Jennifer Aguinaldo
• 
  GE Vernova confirms $14.2bn Saudi initiatives

  22 May 2025

  US-based energy equipment manufacturer GE Vernova announced initiatives worth up to $14.2bn in Saudi Arabia, which coincided with US President Donald Trump’s state visit to the kingdom last week.

  The initiatives aim to “accelerate Saudi Arabia’s energy transition with US technology and expertise”, the firm said.

  The announcements include up to $2bn in backlog or on a reservation agreement as of the first quarter of 2025, with future contracts and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) for agreements spanning across the next four years.

  Among the collaborations and initiatives is a deal between Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) and GE Vernova for the supply of US-made gas turbines, synchronous condensers and balance of plant equipment.

  The equipment deal will support grid stability by providing voltage regulation, reactive power and system strength, supplying inertia to maintain reliable operations as more variable renewable energy is integrated into the system. The deal with SEC also includes capital parts, maintenance and repair services.

  Saudi Arabia's principal buyer, Saudi Power Procurement Company, and GE Vernova are understood to have entered into several MoUs for the supply of advanced power generation equipment and services for future projects; the commercialisation of carbon capture technologies; and training and investments in power sector research and development activities, manufacturing and repairs.

  Saudi utility developer Acwa Power and GE Vernova also signed framework agreements to collaborate on identifying and exploring potential opportunities to supply high-efficiency gas turbines and electrification equipment for future projects in Saudi Arabia. 

  State-backed Saudi Aramco and GE Vernova also announced collaborations to provide maintenance services, repairs and spare parts to support the operations of several power plants in the kingdom.

  Scott Strazik, chief executive of GE Vernova, said that deploying “world-class technology” will help deepen the relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia, advance energy security and strengthen both nations' economic prosperity and competitiveness.

  GE Vernova, or GE, is understood to have been operating in Saudi Arabia for 90 years, with a power generation installed capacity of about 50GW in the kingdom running on its gas turbines.

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  Jennifer Aguinaldo
• 
  May deadline for King Salman International airport terminals

  22 May 2025

  

   

  King Salman International Airport Development Company (KSIADC), which is backed by Saudi sovereign wealth vehicle the Public Investment Fund, has allowed firms until 28 May to submit proposals for a contract to develop the first phase of Terminal 6 and the Iconic Terminal at King Salman International airport (KSIA) in Riyadh.

  The tender notice was issued on 17 April. The previous bid submission deadline was 15 May.

  The client plans to deliver the package on an early contractor involvement (ECI) basis.

  The ECI process requires selected contractors to submit methodologies for the project and a design proposal.

  Earlier in May, MEED reported that US firm Bechtel Corporation had been appointed as the delivery partner for the terminals at KSIA in Riyadh.

  Bechtel will manage the delivery of three new terminals, including the terminal for commercial carriers, Terminal 6 for low-cost carriers and a new private aviation terminal with hangars.

  This was followed by an announcement by another US-based firm, Parsons Corporation, confirming its appointment as the delivery partner for the airside and landside packages at KSIA.

  In February, MEED exclusively reported that KSIADC had received prequalification statements from firms on 28 January for the project.

  The client prequalified firms in September 2024 for the main engineering, procurement and construction packages; early and enabling works; specialist systems and integration; materials and equipment; engineering and design; professional services; health, safety, security, environment and wellbeing services; modular installation and prefabrication; environmental, social and governance services; local content; and other services.

  The entire scheme is divided into eight assets. These are:

  • Iconic Terminal
  • Terminal 6
  • Private aviation terminal 
  • Central runway and temporary apron
  • Hangars
  • Landside transport
  • Cargo buildings
  • Real estate

  In August last year, KSIADC confirmed that it had signed up several architectural and design firms for the various elements of the project.

  KSIADC said that UK-based Foster+Partners will design the airport’s masterplan, including the terminals, six runways and a multi-asset real estate area.

  US-based engineering firm Jacobs will provide specialist consultancy services for the masterplan and the design of the new runways.

  The client also confirmed the appointment of UK-based engineering firm Mace for the delivery partner role on the project.

  The airspace design consultancy contract was awarded to local firm Nera.

  Project scale

  The project covers an area of about 57 square kilometres (sq km), allowing for six parallel runways, and will include the existing terminals at King Khalid International airport. It will also include 12 sq km of airport support facilities, residential and recreational facilities, retail outlets and other logistics real estate.

  If the project is completed on time in 2030, it will become the world’s largest operating airport in terms of passenger capacity, according to UK analytics firm GlobalData.

  The airport aims to accommodate up to 120 million passengers by 2030 and 185 million by 2050. The goal for cargo is to process 3.5 million tonnes a year by 2050.

  Saudi Arabia plans to invest $100bn in its aviation sector. Riyadh’s Saudi Aviation Strategy, announced by the General Authority of Civil Aviation, aims to triple Saudi Arabia’s annual passenger traffic to 330 million travellers by 2030.

  It also aims to increase air cargo traffic to 4.5 million tonnes and raise the country’s total air connections to more than 250 destinations. 

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  Yasir Iqbal
• 
  Petrofac oil bid in Kuwait is double proposed budget

  22 May 2025

  

   

  The low bid submitted by UK-based engineering company Petrofac for the Kuwaiti oil project focused on the installation of a separation gathering centre (SGC) known as SGC-2 has come in at more than double the project’s proposed budget, according to industry sources.

  Petrofac submitted a bid of KD422.45m ($1.37bn) and the provisional budget for the project is KD207m ($670.2m), according to industry sources.

  Petrofac’s bid beat that of India-based Larsen & Toubro, which was the only other bidder with a price of KD441.07m.

  The project is located in the eastern region of Kuwait referred to as EK-2 and its scope also includes debottlenecking work, in addition to the installation of the main units.

  The client on the project is state-owned upstream operator Kuwait Oil Company.

  When the project was originally tendered in June 2024, the following companies were prequalified to bid:

  • Hyundai Engineering & Construction Company (South Korea)
  • Samsung Engineering (South Korea)
  • Saipem (Italy)
  • Sinopec Luoyang Engineering Company (China)
  • Sinopec Engineering Incorporation (China)
  • Tecnicas Reunidas (Spain)
  • Larsen & Toubro (India)
  • Daewoo Engineering & Construction (South Korea)
  • Petrofac International (UK)
  • GS Engineering & Construction (South Korea)

  Petrofac’s problems

  Two weeks ago, Petrofac’s shares on the London Stock Exchange were temporarily suspended after the beleaguered engineering and construction contractor failed to publish its 2024 results on time.

  This suspension was enacted at the same time that Wood, another engineering and construction company, was also forced to suspend trading in its stock because it was unable to publish its annual report by 30 April.

  In March, Petrofac said that it would defer publication of its 2024 results amid its long-running restructuring process.

  Earlier this month, Petrofac received formal approval from the High Court of England & Wales to implement its restructuring plan.

  The company, which has billions of dollars-worth of projects in the Middle East and North Africa region, has said that the approved plan will unlock $355m in new funding for its operations.

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  Wil Crisp
• 
  Adnoc takes a leap forward in becoming a chemicals giant

  21 May 2025

  Commentary
  Indrajit Sen
  Oil & gas editor

  Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) has made a significant stride forward in its quest to build a burgeoning chemicals business following the European Union’s (EU) approval for the full acquisition of German chemicals producer Covestro.

  Adnoc International, the overseas business arm of Adnoc Group, signed an investment agreement with Covestro on 1 October, in which it made a takeover offer of €14.7bn ($16.3bn).

  On 13 May, the European Commission, the executive wing of the EU, gave unconditional antitrust approval for the acquisition, saying that the transaction does not raise competition concerns. It added that the companies mainly operate at different levels of the chemical and petrochemical supply chain and would not be able to restrict rivals’ access to inputs or customers.

  Having secured the green light for the Covestro takeover, Adnoc will now look to complete the transaction swiftly. In parallel, the Abu Dhabi energy giant is also likely to move quickly to conclude its deal with Austria’s OMV for a proposed combination of their shareholdings in Abu Dhabi’s Borouge and Austria-based chemicals producer Borealis.

  Adnoc and OMV agreed in March to the terms of a binding framework agreement for the merger of Borouge and Borealis. That, together with the contribution of the upcoming Borouge 4 petrochemicals project in Abu Dhabi, will create a major polyolefins producer valued at over $60bn that will be the world’s fourth-largest by nameplate production capacity.

  Separately, Adnoc also entered into a share purchase agreement in March with Canada-based Nova Chemicals Holdings, an indirectly wholly-owned company of Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth institution Mubadala Investment Company, for 100% of Nova Chemicals Corporation (Nova).

  With the takeover of Covestro likely to conclude in the next few months and the Borouge-Borealis merger, along with the acquisition of Nova, expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026, Adnoc is set to morph into a behemoth in the global chemicals industry in less than a year.

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  Indrajit Sen