Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry has created a new division to drive the kingdom’s renewable energy plan, which will begin reviewing interested companies for projects this month.
The Renewable Energy Project Develop Office (Repdo), falling under the energy ministry, will be led by a committee that includes the major energy players in the country from Saudi Aramco, Saudi Electricity Company, Electricity and Cogeneration Regulatory Authority and King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy.
“This dedicated team will assume overall responsibility for the execution and delivery of the programme, starting with the launch of the request for qualifications process on February 20,” said Khalid Al Falih, Saudi Arabia’s energy minister.
The first movement for the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) will start accepting applications later this month from companies looking to participate in developing 700 megawatts of solar and wind projects. The next milestone will be the request for proposals issued in mid-April and the first projects will be awarded in September.
The NREP is the official plan for the 9.5 gigawatts of renewable energy deployment that the government announced for Vision 2030, with the interim target of 3.45GW of renewable energy power capacity by 2020 under the National Transformation Programme.
The first phase will involve projects developed in the northwest of the country – 300MW of solar in Sakaka at the An Nafud desert, while Midyan will have 400MW of wind. Midyan is also the site of Saudi Aramco’s Midyan gas plant, which will produce 570MW of power once complete, including 50MW of solar from a nearby plant.
Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation will be the financial adviser throughout the tender process with London-based DLA Piper as legal adviser. Fichtner Group of Germany will be the technical adviser, the same role it plays for Abu Dhabi’s Sweihan solar project.
“We have vast renewable energy resources and by exploiting them, we work towards our sustainable development goals and reinforce our position as the world’s most reliable supplier of energy, allowing us to accelerate economic transformation,” said Mr Al Falih.
lgraves@thenational.ae
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
Company%20profile
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If you go
The flights
Etihad flies direct from Abu Dhabi to San Francisco from Dh5,760 return including taxes.
The car
Etihad Guest members get a 10 per cent worldwide discount when booking with Hertz, as well as earning miles on their rentals. A week's car hire costs from Dh1,500 including taxes.
The hotels
Along the route, Motel 6 (www.motel6.com) offers good value and comfort, with rooms from $55 (Dh202) per night including taxes. In Portland, the Jupiter Hotel (https://jupiterhotel.com/) has rooms from $165 (Dh606) per night including taxes. The Society Hotel https://thesocietyhotel.com/ has rooms from $130 (Dh478) per night including taxes.
More info
To keep up with constant developments in Portland, visit www.travelportland.com. Good guidebooks include the Lonely Planet guides to Northern California and Washington, Oregon & the Pacific Northwest.
THE SPECS
GMC Sierra Denali 1500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Price: Dh232,500
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km