KSA Signs for Middle East’s Largest Solar Energy Factory
On Tuesday, The Royal Commission signed a contract with the Saudi group Al-Afandi Solar,in Yanbu (West Saudi Arabia), for founding the largest ,across the Middle East, commercial complementary factory responsible for silicon panels and Solar cells manufacture in Saudi Arabia.
The contract was signed with Dr. Alaa Nassif, Chief Executive of the Royal Commission in Yanbu, and Board Director of Al-Afandi Solar group, Mr. Ibrahim Al-Afandi.
Moreover, the factory is expected to fill in a substantial step towards meeting the demand on solar power usage both on local and regional scales.
Mr. Ibrahim Al-Afandi clarified that the factory will be actively manufacturing before the end of 2016, pointing out that it is anticipated for the factory to produce solar panels that generate 120 Megawatts (what amounts to 450 thousand Solar Panels) yearly, sufficing the necessary electrical power needed to cover the growing demand on this renewable energy source.
Production rate is expected to hit 1 Giga-watts (1000 megawatts) after the completion of all stages of execution.
Engr. Majd al-Dohawi , Board Member and Deputy Director of Al-Afandi Solar group, confirmed that the establishment of an integrated factory corresponds to the ambitious “National Transform” program which is considered to be a strategically substantial leap for Saudi economy.
The whole process of finding renewable energy alternatives, like the construction of our factory, supports national economy and elevates domestic content, which plays a major role for the basic factors supporting economic life.
Furthermore, al-Dohawi clarified that solar energy has become an adequate option for the Saudi year-on sunny region; this renewable source can provide a large segment of the local need for electrical power.
As a substitute for oil dependent generated power, Solar Energy provides room for oil accumulation which potentially increases the Kingdom’s oil exports, directly supporting the economy.
Saudi Arabia’s investment in the domain of renewable energy is approximated to 3 billion US dollars.