Saudi Arabia’s Renewables Revolution Accelerates Again

9 Oct 2026 Issue: 69 / 41 By: Jamie Ingram

Saudi Arabia has already added a record 7GW of renewables this year, with more to come. Planned projects for next year would add 20GW, doubling installed capacity. If achieved, renewables could account for 25% of total power generation by end-2027.

Saudi Arabia is on course for a record year of renewable power installation this year, and capacity could double again in 2027 as momentum continues to build in the sector. Installed renewable capacity is planned to reach 20GW by the end of 2026, and another 20GW is due online next year. Despite the unprecedented disruption caused by the Middle East conflict, there has been considerable progress at the largest projects required to reach 40GW by end-2027.

Grid-connected renewable capacity now stands at 19.3GW, leaving Saudi Arabia with just 700MW to add in order to meet its year-end target of 20GW. The next gains will come from the 300MW Rabigh 2 and 400MW Al Henakiyah 2 solar PV plants. Power purchase agreements (PPAs) for these plants were awarded in December 2024 to TotalEnergies and Aljomaih Energy and Water Company and to EDF and SPIC, respectively. (CONTINUED - 815 WORDS)