Conergy Asia-Pacific has been awarded the contract to build a 2MW solar power plant for Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST). Conergy Asia-Pacific will be working closely with Saudi-based National Solar Systems, a leading solar systems integrator in the Kingdom. Under the agreement, Conergy will manage the design and components supply, while the operational management will be implemented by National Solar Systems. The power plant will feature premium components, combining high-efficiency solar modules from Sun power Corporation with Conergy proprietary mounting systems and power electronics.
The power plant will be located Thuwal, north of the city of Jeddah and managed by the oil giant, Saudi Aramco, on behalf of the Saudi Government.The scope of work consists of constructing two rooftop solar plants with an output of 1 MW each, to be installed on the North and South Laboratories of the University. The photovoltaic plant, valued at 11.3 million Euros, is the first large-scale solar project of its kind in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). It will occupy 11,577 square metres of roof space and produce 3,332 MWH of clean energy annually, while also saving up to 1,666 tonnes of yearly carbon emissions. This equates to carbon offsets for approximately 11,758 million kilometres of air travel.
Florent Abadie,Director of Development and Technology Asia-Pacific at Conergy commented: “Withits arid climate and vast desert landmass, SaudiArabia is geographically optimal forharnessing solar power. We commend the Saudi authority’s remarkable support forcleantech development and inspiring commitment to renewable energy, which weare witnessing in the Kingdom’s leading policymakers and decision-makers.”
Currently, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s population is estimated at 27 million with energy demands growing at 5% annually. Despite being an oil-rich export economy for decades, the introduction of alternative energy could create significant value for SaudiArabia’s energy landscape, by ensuring sustainable opportunities for diversified economic growth.
