The planet earth receives a huge amount of solar energy through solar radiation every day. Solar energy can be used to generate clean power. One such application is to convert sunlight into clean electricity using solar panels. This electricity can be used to meet your daily energy demands. You can use solar energy storage systems to save excess electrical energy for later when the sun is no longer shining.
Solar energy can be used for both residential and commercial sectors. Large-scale solar energy projects help deliver clean power to thousands of consumers.
Recently, Saudi Arabian energy and water company ACWA has announced the successful completion of the 300 MW Sakaka Solar PV project.
Built with an investment of $319m, the Sakaka Solar PV plant was connected to the national grid about a month and a half ahead of the projected schedule and has already started the commercial operation pilot phase. The power company expects to achieve full commercial operation by the end of 2019.
Sakaka is Saudi Arabia’s second operational solar power plant and a part of the King Salman Renewable Energy Initiative. This 300 MW project will provide clean power from solar energy to households in the Al Jouf region, selling the power at $0.0236/kWh, it will reduce the country’s carbon dioxide emission by 500 tonnes annually.
ACWA Power Chairman Mohammad Abunayyan said:
“We are confident to deliver the project on schedule and commercial operation of the plant before the end of this year at the highest levels of quality, safety, and security.”
“The solar project has established a 100% local employment rate within the first year of operation, with 90% of the workforce comprised by the youth of [the] Al Jouf region,” said the Saudi power company.
The Sakaka Solar PV project was the first large-scale PV facility proposed by Saudi Arabia. Sakaka is a large Solar PV power plant however, it’s not the largest one. The World’s Largest Solar PV Power Plant ‘Tengger Desert Solar Park’ is located in China with a capacity of 1,547 MW, covering an area of 43 KM squared.
More PV Plant Projects for ACWA Power
ACWA Power has signed a Power Purchase Agreement with the Egyptian government recently to develop, finance, build and operate the 200 MW Kom Ombo photovoltaic power plant which is expected to be operational by 2021. In addition to this ACWA Power recently won the bid for the 900 MW Dubai Solar PV project.
