Saudi Arabia launches five projects to produce electricity using renewable energy

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has launched five new projects to produce electricity using renewable energy, with a total capacity of 3,300 megawatts, the state news agency (SPA) reported on Sunday.

The projects, which include producing power through solar and wind, were launched by the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC), which is the principal buyer.

According to Xinhua news agency report, the projects are the fourth phase of the kingdom's National Renewable Energy Program of the Energy Ministry (NREP).

These projects include three wind energy projects and two solar energy projects, it said.

The total production of wind energy projects stands at 1,800 megawatts, which are distributed for a project in Yanbu with a capacity of 700 megawatts, another in Al-Ghat with 600 megawatts and a third in Waad Al-Shamal with 500 megawatts.

The total capacity of solar projects reaches 1,500 megawatts, distributed to a project in Al-Henakiyah with 1,100 megawatts and another in Tubarjal with 400 megawatts.

The NREP, according to a statement on the Ministry of Energy's website, aims to maximize the use of renewable energy in Saudi Arabia which comes hand-in-hand with Vision 2030.

One of the main goals of Vision 2030 is for the contribution of renewable energy to reach up to 50 percent of the overall energy mix by 2030.

"The NREP program sets out an organized and specific road map to diversify local energy sources, stimulate economic development and provide sustainable economic stability to the Kingdom in light of the goals set for Vision 2030, which include establishing the renewable energy industry and supporting the advancement of this promising sector while working to fulfill the Kingdom's commitments to reducing carbon dioxide emissions," the statement said.