Source: renewablesnow
August 22 Saudi food conglomerate Almarai Company SJSC (TADAWUL:2280) has successfully completed the 15-MW Al Kharj solar power plant in Saudi Arabia, it announced on Wednesday.
The project, which is now the largest ground-mount photovoltaic (PV) installation in the Kingdom, was realised at a total cost of SAR 44.4 million (USD 11.8m/EUR 10.7m). It features over 44,000 PV panels with the combined capacity to generate some 28 GWh of electricity per year.
Almarai has developed a roadmap that outlines how it can improve its energy performance, including building a portfolio of solar parks. The company aims at adding enough solar power by end-2020 so it could cover about 10% of its total electricity demand.
“Greenhouse gas emissions associated with fuel and electricity consumption, and rising energy costs, have an impact not only on the environment but also on our financial bottom line,” the firm’s statement read.
Al Kharj’s completion marks a boost to Saudi Arabia’s solar scene, weeks after Wood Mackenziepredicted the Kingdom will join France, Taiwan and other fellow “engines” as it grows to install 1-5GW of PV every year by 2024.
At 30MW, a larger PV project than Al Kharj is inching towards construction, also with the support of a food-making corporate.
