Saudi Arabia Launches 1.9 GW Solar Power Tender
The eighth round of the National Renewable Energy Program targets two major solar projects.
1New Solar Capacity Tender
The Saudi Power Procurement Co. has officially initiated the eighth round of the National Renewable Energy Program. This phase seeks developers for 1.9 GW of total solar capacity, divided into two distinct independent power producer projects. Interested parties must submit their pre-qualification documentation by the deadline of November 22 to participate.
2Project Locations and Scope
The 1 GW EAM project is situated 120 km southeast of Tathleeth in the Asir province. Simultaneously, the 900 MW TMR project will be developed 26 km north of Tumair within the Riyadh province. Both facilities are mandated to be constructed and operated under the build-own-operate model by the selected project developers.
3Recent Procurement Activity
This eighth round follows the seventh round launched in September 2025, which targeted 3.1 GW across four projects. The government continues to accelerate its renewable energy pipeline, having previously awarded 3 GW in the sixth round during October 2025. These consecutive rounds demonstrate a consistent effort to scale up national solar infrastructure.
4Historical Cost Trends
Previous rounds have seen competitive pricing, with the sixth round awarding projects at rates between $0.0110/kWh and $0.0151/kWh. Masdar notably secured the 1.4 GW Najran project at the lowest rate of $0.0110/kWh. These figures reflect the maturing market dynamics and the increasing efficiency of large-scale solar deployment within the Saudi Arabian kingdom.
5Evolution of NREP Rounds
The National Renewable Energy Program has grown significantly since its inception. The fifth round, initiated in November 2023, covered 3.7 GW of capacity, while the fourth round in 2022 included both solar and wind components. Each successive round has refined the procurement process, attracting a diverse range of international and local energy developers.
6Early Program Milestones
The program's first utility-scale project, the 300 MW Sakaka plant, was awarded to ACWA Power and connected to the grid in November 2019. At that time, the tariff was $0.0236/kWh, which was significantly higher than the record-low $0.0104/kWh achieved for the 600 MW Al Shuaiba project during the second round in 2021.
7Strategic Procurement Requirements
The procurement process is overseen by the Renewable Energy Project Development Office. Historically, these tenders have included specific local content requirements, such as the 17% threshold mandated during the third round. These stipulations are designed to foster domestic industrial growth while simultaneously meeting the country's ambitious renewable energy generation targets for 2030.
8Future Market Outlook
The consistent launch of multi-gigawatt tenders indicates a strong commitment to diversifying the national energy mix. By maintaining a steady pipeline of projects, the government provides long-term visibility for investors and contractors. Future success will depend on the continued ability to attract competitive bids while scaling up infrastructure to meet demand.
Original article: pv magazine — Saudi Arabia Launches 1.9 GW Solar Power Tender