Saudi Arabia launches tender for 8 GWh of battery storage in world’s largest deal
The Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) has begun qualifying bidders for an enormous undertaking of four grid-scale battery projects totaling 8 GWh of storage capacity across the Kingdom.
The projects mark the first phase of Saudi Arabia’s battery storage program, designed to support its goal of 50% renewable energy by 2030. Each 500 MW facility will operate for four hours, providing 2,000 MWh of total power capacity, said the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC).
The sites will be located in Makkah, Qassim and Hail provinces as follows:
- 500MW/4Hrs Al-Muwyah BESS ISPSite Location: Makkah province, KSA.
- 500MW/4Hrs Haden BESS ISPSite location: Makkah province, KSA.
- 500MW/4Hrs Al-Khushaybi BESS ISPSite location: Qassim province, KSA.
- 500MW/4Hrs Al-Kahafa BESS ISPSite location: Hail province, KSA.
Successful developers will build and operate the facilities through special purpose vehicles under 15-year storage service agreements with SPPC.
The procurement uses a build-own-operate model, with winning bidders taking full ownership of the project companies. This mirrors the country’s independent power project framework.
The initiative represents the largest coordinated battery storage deployments announced globally to date. In the past months, Sungrow secured a 7.8 GWh battery storage deal with Saudi Arabia’s Algihaz Holding for projects located in Saudi Arabia.
Source: PV Magazine
