The National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) has achieved a major milestone as the 600-megawatt (MW) Al Ghat Wind Park achieved full grid synchronization. This successful integration into the Saudi national electricity network highlights the accelerating pace of the Kingdom’s utility-scale asset deployment, strengthening its position as the primary destination for renewable energy investments in the Middle East.
Executive Summary
- Full Grid Interconnection: All 600MW of generation capacity are now synchronized and actively feeding power into the national electricity network.
- Advanced Turbine Assembly: Features 80 high-yield onshore wind turbines, with an individual asset capacity of 7.7MW per unit.
- Public-Private Blueprint: Developed under an IPP framework by a consortium consisting of Marubeni Corporation and Saudi-based Ajlan & Bros.
- Sovereign Off-taker: Operating under a long-term PPA managed directly by the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC).
- Environmental Net-Positive: Displaces approximately 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Situated in the wind-rich Al Ghat region of Riyadh Province, the massive onshore facility represents a benchmark in structural engineering and procurement efficiency. The project features 80 ultra-modern wind turbines, with each unit boasting an individual generating capacity of 7.7MW—representing some of the most advanced high-yield onshore turbine technology in operation today.
Strategic Public-Private Consortium Driving Capital Delivery
The deployment and financial structure of the Al Ghat asset highlight the strength of Saudi Arabia’s regulatory framework for independent power producers (IPPs). Developed via an international consortium led by Japan’s Marubeni Corporation in close equity partnership with prominent Saudi-based conglomerate Ajlan & Bros, the project operates under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC).
Decarbonization Impact: According to validated engineering project estimates, the Al Ghat facility will displace approximately one million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually—an environmental offset equivalent to planting roughly 50 million trees.
Asset Breakdown: Al Ghat Technical Profile
| Metric / Parameter | Project Specifications |
|---|---|
| Total Installed Capacity | 600 Megawatts (MW) |
| Turbine Configuration | 80 units @ 7.7MW per turbine |
| Offtaker Entity | Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) |
| Regional Grid Impact | Powers hundreds of thousands of Saudi households at peak capacity |
With all 80 turbines fully synchronized and generating live power into the high-voltage transmission network, the asset is transitioning out of its commissioning phase into full commercial operations. By capturing foreign direct investment (FDI) and deploying tier-one technologies at a highly optimized levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), the project reinforces the sovereign commitment to source substantial electricity capacity from clean energy technologies by the turn of the decade.
