meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

Saudi power projects hit record high

21 February 2025

 

Saudi Arabia has entered what could be the busiest period for power generation capacity buildout in its history.

According to data from regional projects tracker MEED Projects and MEED, power generation projects with a total capacity of 53GW are under construction, or are about to start construction following the formal award of contracts or the selection of bidders.

Generation and cogeneration plants powered by natural gas account for two-thirds, or 66.7%, of the total capacity under construction, with renewable energy plants – mainly solar – accounting for the rest.

Solar and wind power plants dominate the pre-execution pipeline, however, accounting for about 94% of the capacity that is currently under bid or prequalification.

The total thermal and renewable generation capacity being planned and tendered in Saudi Arabia, inclusive of projects in the study and design phases, stood at about 80GW as of February 2025.

The major capacity buildout is in line with the kingdom's liquid displacement programme, as well as its target for renewable energy sources to account for half its electricity production by 2030.

According to the Energy Institute, Saudi Arabia's total electricity generation in 2023 reached 422.9 terawatt-hours (TWh). Oil accounted for 152.1TWh, or about 36% of the total, while natural gas accounted for 265TWh, or 63%, and renewables made up 5.8TWh or 1%.

CCGT plants

The urgency of displacing the kingdom's oil-fired fleet underpins the successive contract awards for combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power generation plants, which are being developed as independent power projects (IPPs) or via engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts.

About 47% of the 35.8GW of gas-fired capacity that is under construction is being built via an EPC or design-and-build model, mainly by Saudi Electricity Company (SEC). The rest is being constructed using an IPP model.

Of the total thermal capacity under construction, about 45% will be generated by greenfield power plants that are being built as an expansion to existing power generation facilities in the kingdom.

Chinese contractors such as Sepco 3 and China Energy Engineering Corporation are among the firms constructing 10 of the 19 gas-fired power generation and cogeneration plants that are under execution in Saudi Arabia. An 11th plant is being constructed by Sepco 3 in partnership with Doosan Enerbility of South Korea. The 11 plants equate to a capacity of about 21GW.

South Korean contractors – primarily Doosan and Samsung C&T – are involved in four of the 19 projects.

"I think the Chinese EPC contractors are already at capacity, so SEC has started tapping Egyptian and Spanish EPC contractors," an industry source tells MEED, in reference to Tecnicas Reunidas, Orascom and Elsewedy, which were selected last year to undertake the EPC contracts for several CCGT plants.

The peak for new gas-fired contract awards may have passed, however.

Data from MEED Projects indicates that four cogeneration plants with a combined capacity of about 1.5GW are in the pre-execution stage. Meanwhile, at least two gas-fired IPP schemes – Shoaiba and Al-Shuqaiq – are currently under study, each with a planned capacity of 2.6GW.

However, the possibility of an unexpected new project, like the 3GW expansion of the Qurayyah IPP, which was announced on 20 February, cannot be ruled out. 

Renewables  

A reverse trend could be seen for renewable solar power generation capacity.

As of February 2025, nearly all renewable energy capacity under construction in Saudi Arabia is being developed as IPPs.

About 43% of these IPPs are publicly tendered by the principal buyer, Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC). The rest are directly negotiated by Saudi sovereign wealth vehicle the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the dominant local utility developer, Acwa Power.

The pre-execution pipeline for solar and wind energy projects that will be procured by SEC and gigaproject developer Neom is extensive, especially given that the Energy Ministry has issued a directive that up to 20GW of renewable energy capacity be procured annually until 2030, subject to demand growth.

"It is a massive pipeline," notes a Dubai-based senior transaction adviser.

However, he also notes that a re-scoping process is under way, especially for renewable energy projects that are designed to cater to Neom, the $500bn development in northwestern Saudi Arabia, which aims to be powered 100% by renewables by 2030.

Issues related to land allocation may also arise, if they haven't already, notes another industry expert.

The deployment of additional renewable energy capacity also requires a major battery energy storage system buildout. Efforts towards this got under way last year to ensure the flexibility of the electricity grid. 

"The question is how many batteries they will need and how many batteries will be available to support that ambition," the source said.    

Data centres

In addition to the liquid displacement programme and the 50% renewable energy production target by 2030, Saudi Arabia has been seeing a major uptick in data centre construction projects, in line with a plan to become a major artificial intelligence (AI) hub.

Hyperscalers such as Amazon Web Services, Google and Microsoft plan to expand their digital or cloud infrastructure in Saudi Arabia in line with this strategy. These and other AI players, as well as local firms such as DataVolt, Ezditek, Alfanar and the UAE-based Gulf Data Hub, pledged about $15bn of investments in this type of infrastructure during the Leap technology conference, which took place in Riyadh on 9-12 February. More investments are expected to be announced in the coming months and years.

These projects, assuming they all come to fruition, will significantly increase computing, cooling and overall electricity demand. The need to make these advanced data centres as sustainable as possible will also further incentivise the kingdom's national renewable energy programme.

JOIN THE LEADERS BUILDING VISION 2030 AT THE 3RD EDITION OF MEED's SAUDI GIGAPROJECTS SUMMIT
12-14 May – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/13414408/main2137.gif
Jennifer Aguinaldo

Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • Contractor wins $161m Meraas City Walk Crestlane deal

    7 September 2026

    Local contractor Parkway International Contracting has won a AED590m ($161m) contract to build phase three of the City Walk Crestlane project in Dubai’s Al-Wasl area.

    The contract covers the construction of four residential buildings comprising 394 apartments.

    Construction is expected to commence shortly, with completion slated for 2028.

    Local real estate developer Meraas, part of Dubai Holding, awarded the contract.

    In December last year, Meraas announced the next phases of the City Walk Crestlane project as it continues to expand its City Walk residential community in Dubai.

    City Walk Crestlane 4 and 5 comprise four residential towers offering 360 one- to five-bedroom units.

    In June 2025, Meraas announced the initial phases of the City Walk Crestlane project, which comprise two residential towers offering 198 one- to five-bedroom units.

    Earlier this year, Meraas awarded two major construction contracts worth AED2.4bn ($653m) to build 557 villas as part of the second phase of its residential community, The Acres, in Dubailand.

    The contracts were awarded to local construction firms United Engineering Construction (Unec) and GCC Contracting. Unec will build 371 three- to five-bedroom villas at The Acres, while GCC Contracting will deliver 186 five- to seven-bedroom residences at The Acres Estates.

    Meraas’ latest project contract awards in Dubai reflect heightened real estate activity in the UAE’s construction market. Schemes worth more than $323bn are in execution or planning stages, according to UK-based analytics firm GlobalData.

    The company forecasts that output from the UAE’s residential construction sector will grow by 3% in real terms between 2026 and 2029, supported by developments in infrastructure, energy and utilities, as well as residential construction projects.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/19433882/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Six groups qualify for Saudi Arabia’s Qassim airport PPP

    7 September 2026

    Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Holding Company (Matarat), through the National Centre for Privatisation & PPP (NCP), has qualified five groups and one standalone company to bid for a contract to develop Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz International airport in Qassim, Saudi Arabia.

    These include:

    1. YDA Insaat / Safari Group / Lamar Holding / Egis (Turkiye/local/Bahrain/France)
    2. Ports Projects Management & Development Company / Algihaz Holding (local/local)
    3. Mada International Holding / TAV Airports Holding (local/Turkiye)
    4. Namaya International Investment Company / Oman Airports Management Company / AlBawani Capital / Tanama (local/Oman/local/UAE)
    5. Vision Invest / Asyad Holding / DAA International (local/local/Ireland)
    6. GMR Airports (India)

    The prequalification process follows 89 firms expressing interest in the contract, as MEED reported in March.

    The project scope includes the redevelopment of the passenger terminal as well as other associated facilities such as airside infrastructure, including runway, taxiways and aprons.

    The project will be developed on a design-finance-construction-operations-maintenance-transfer basis.

    The clients issued an expression of interest notice for the project on 9 February, and companies were given until 23 February to submit responses.

    Tendering is also ongoing for the new Taif International airport project in Mecca Province. 

    The new Taif International airport will be located 21 kilometres southeast of the existing Taif airport and will have a capacity of 2.5 million passengers by 2030.

    In addition to a new airport terminal, the proposed design features a runway with a full-length parallel taxiway connecting to a single commercial apron.

    The scope includes facility buildings, utility networks, car parks and access roads, as well as provisions for additional expansions to meet future subsystem requirements.

    The new airport is expected to meet the projected increase in demand by 2055 and contribute to the economic development of the city of Taif and its surrounding areas, in line with the kingdom’s National Aviation Strategy.

    It is also expected to meet the needs of Umrah pilgrims, as an alternative within the region’s multi-airport system, which includes King Abdulaziz airport in Jeddah, Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz airport in Medina and Prince Abdulmohsen Bin Abdulaziz airport in Yanbu.

    Previous tenders

    The Taif, Hail and Qassim airport schemes were previously tendered and awarded as public-private partnership (PPP) projects using the build-transfer-operate (BTO) model.

    Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (Gaca) awarded the contracts to develop four airport PPP projects to two separate consortiums in 2017.

    A team of Turkiye’s TAV Airports and the local Al-Rajhi Holding Group won the 30-year concession agreement to build, transfer and operate airport passenger terminals in Yanbu, Qassim and Hail.

    A second team, comprising Lebanon’s Consolidated Contractors Company, Germany’s Munich Airport International and local firm Asyad Group, won the BTO contract to develop Taif International airport.

    However, these projects stalled following the restructuring of the kingdom’s aviation sector.

    Saudi Arabia has already privatised airports including the $1.2bn Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International airport in Medina, which was developed as a PPP and opened in 2015.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/19433451/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Dubai sets October deadline for metro Gold Line

    7 September 2026

     

    Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has set a deadline of 9 October for contractors to submit their prequalification statements for a contract to build the new Gold Line as part of the Dubai Metro network’s expansion.

    The previous deadline was 7 September.

    The RTA issued the request for qualification notice for the project in June, with an initial submission deadline of 17 August, as MEED exclusively reported.

    The prequalification notice followed the RTA’s invitation to contractors to express interest in building the new Gold Line in May.

    Dubai officially announced the launch of the new Gold Line in April.

    In a post on social media site X, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said the project will cost about AED34bn ($9.2bn).

    The Gold Line will increase Dubai Metro network’s total length by 35%.

    The project is scheduled for completion in September 2032.

    The Gold Line will be a fully underground network covering more than 42 kilometres, with 18 stations.

    It will pass through 15 areas in Dubai, benefiting 1.5 million residents.

    The project is expected to provide connectivity to over 55 under-construction real estate development projects.

    The Gold Line will start at Al-Ghubaiba in Bur Dubai and end at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

    It will connect to Dubai Metro’s existing Red and Green lines and integrate with the Etihad Rail passenger line.

    The contractor will be responsible for the design and build of all civil works, electromechanical equipment, rolling stock and rail systems.

    The selected contractor will also be required to assist in the systems maintenance and operations during an initial three-year period.

    In October last year, MEED exclusively reported that the RTA had selected US-based engineering firm Aecom to provide consultancy services for the Dubai Metro Gold Line project.

    Stage one covers concept design, stage two covers preliminary design, stage three covers the preparation of tender documents, stage four encompasses construction supervision, and stage five covers the defects and liability period.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/19433246/main.png
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Oman power firms move closer to merger

    7 September 2026

    Oman’s Financial Services Authority has given in-principle approval for the proposed merger of Al-Suwadi Power Company and Al-Batinah Power Company.

    In a disclosure to the Muscat Stock Exchange on 6 September, Al-Suwadi said the proposed merger remains subject to legal and regulatory requirements as well as approvals from relevant lenders and shareholders of both companies.

    Al-Suwadi and Al-Batinah are independent power producers (IPPs) that operate two major gas-fired power plants in Oman. Al-Suwadi operates the 750MW Barka 3 IPP, while Al-Batinah operates the 750MW Sohar 2 IPP.

    The two companies began assessing a potential merger in May. Al-Suwadi said the companies have similar assets, business operations and founders.

    The companies recently secured new 15-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Nama Power & Water Procurement Company for Barka 3 and Sohar 2.

    The new PPAs will take effect on 1 April 2028 and run until 31 March 2043. They will allow the two plants to continue supplying electricity under long-term contracts after their existing PPAs expire.

    Al-Suwadi said in May that potential cost savings from a merger had been taken into account when the new PPAs were negotiated.

    The company has also started assessing potential refinancing options for its existing financing arrangements, as well as funding requirements for capital expenditure during the new PPA period.

    The refinancing assessment remains at an early stage. Any refinancing would be subject to approvals from the relevant regulatory authorities, existing lenders and Al-Suwadi’s board of directors.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/19433240/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Red Sea utilities project reaches commercial operation

    7 September 2026

    The utilities system serving Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea tourism destination has reached commercial operation, marking the start of a 25-year concession for one of the world’s largest integrated off-grid utilities projects.

    The Project Commercial Operation Date was signed by Marafiq Red Sea for Energy Company, the Acwa-led project company, and The Red Sea Utilities Company, a subsidiary of Red Sea Global.

    The milestone brings into commercial service an integrated system covering power, potable water, wastewater treatment, district cooling and waste management. The system operates without a connection to Saudi Arabia’s national grid and is powered by renewable energy.

    The project, known as the Marafiq Red Sea Project or Red Sea Utilities Multi-Utilities Project, combines 340MWac of solar photovoltaic capacity with a 1,227MWh battery energy storage system. Acwa describes the battery facility as the world’s largest off-grid battery installation.

    The system currently supplies Red Sea Global’s operational hotels, Red Sea International airport, logistics hub, electric fleet, staff village and community facilities.

    The solar and battery system has been sized to meet the destination’s initial energy demand and can generate up to 760,000MWh of clean electricity a year. At full capacity, it is expected to avoid about 600,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

    The utilities scope also includes three seawater reverse osmosis plants, a sewage treatment plant (STP), a waste management centre and 32,500 refrigeration tonnes of district cooling capacity.

    The STP has a treatment capacity of 16,000 cubic metres a day. Treated wastewater will be used for irrigation and to support wetland habitats at the destination.

    The integrated system has been designed to expand as further phases of The Red Sea destination come online.

    As MEED previously reported, financial close was reached in February 2022, with about $1.33bn of senior debt facilities and total investment of about $1.84bn.

    The consortium comprises Acwa, China’s SPIC Huanghe Hydropower and Saudi Tabreed. Marafiq holds the 25-year utilities concession.

    Sepco 3, the Shandong Tiejun consortium, was the engineering, procurement and construction contractor. Acwa Operations is responsible for operating and maintaining the utilities system under a long-term agreement aligned with the concession period.

    The project is the first gigaproject in Saudi Arabia to bring its complete utility systems into commercial operation powered solely by renewable energy, Acwa said.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/19432588/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall