Saudi Arabia brought its first two utility-scale solar PV plants online in 2019, with a combined capacity of 310MW, and is promoting two PV tenders for a total 2.67GW as part of an ambitious program to develop 27.3GW of renewables by 2023 and almost 60GW by 2030 (MEES, 10 April).

The kingdom’s slow start in renewables means that online capacity is a small part of total generating capacity: just 0.3% of the total 90.69GW, though the solar tenders mean renewables make up a more respectable 16.5% of a total 16.21GW in under construction and planned projects (see table). (CONTINUED - 826 WORDS)