ACWA Power brings 2.79 GW of Saudi solar capacity online

Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power has started commissioning 2.79 GW of solar power capacity in the kingdom after three major photovoltaic projects received commercial operation certificates.

The company said on Wednesday its Ar Rass 2 PV plant in Qassim, with a total planned capacity of 2,000 MW, has been granted an initial commercial operation certificate for 1,000 MW.

Its SAAD 2 project in Riyadh reached full operation at 1,125 MW after receiving a second commercial operation certificate covering the remaining 365.7 MW.

In addition, the company’s Al Kahfah PV project in Hail, with a capacity of 1,425 MW, received an initial commercial operation certificate.

ACWA Power holds a 50.1% stake in each of the three projects.

The firm said the financial impact from the commissioning of the plants is expected to be reflected in the second half of 2025.

The new plants will give a significant boost to Saudi Arabia's solar capacity which more than doubled in 2024to 6.1 GW.

The Riyadh-based developer is working on more solar and wind projects across the kingdom. In July, ACWA Power signed power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) for 15 GW of solar and wind projects. Financial close is targeted in the third quarter of 2025.