RIYADH: The Saudi Power Procurement Co. has invited bids for four independent power plant projects with a combined capacity of 7,200 megawatts. The company has specified that two of the projects, namely Rumah1 and Rumah2, are slated for the central region, while the remaining two, Nairyah1 and Nairyah2, will be situated in the eastern region of the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported. All these projects will have a capacity of 1,800 MW each and use natural gas combined-cycle technology, along with carbon capture. SPPC emphasized that these projects are in alignment with the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative. The aim is to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2060, adopting a circular carbon economy approach, with the timeline subject to the maturity and availability of technology. The project also aligns with the Kingdom’s efforts to realize the goals of Vision 2030, focusing on enhancing energy generation efficiency and reducing costs by diversifying power production. Saudi Arabia aims for a balanced 50-50 split in electricity production, seeking to leverage both renewable sources and gas while concurrently reducing reliance on liquid fuel in the power sector. Through initiatives like the SGI and the broader Middle East Green Initiative, the Kingdom is at the forefront of spearheading the energy transition journey in the region. In an October 2023 interview with Arab News, Muneef Al-Muneef, general director of renewable energy policies at the Saudi Ministry of Energy, stated that the Kingdom is actively advancing with 22.8 gigawatts of renewable energy projects. He noted that Saudi Arabia is open to advanced technologies like hydro-storage and geothermal in the energy sector as the world sails toward a sustainable future. “We don’t really tie ourselves to one. We’re consistently monitoring the potential of these technologies and their level of applicability in the Kingdom and whether these technologies can help us achieve our targets,” said Al-Muneef at that time. In October, Saudi utility firm ACWA Power received a commercial operation certificate for the second phase of the 1,500 MW Sudair solar power project. This accomplishment reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing commitment to its renewable journey. In December 2023, addressing the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program’s annual ceremony, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef affirmed that the Kingdom is on course to access green energy at competitive prices.