JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia will add 4,500 megawatts of renewable energy to its grid after its procurement agency issued a request for qualifications for the sixth round of solar and wind projects. The Saudi Power Procurement Co. outlined the key projects, including the 1,500-MW Dawadmi wind project in the Riyadh region, the 1,400-MW Najran solar project, and two solar initiatives in Jazan — Samtah and Al-Darb — each boasting a capacity of 600 MW. Additionally, the Sufun solar project in Hail will contribute 400 MW to the grid. This initiative is part of the National Renewable Energy Program, which is overseen by the Ministry of Energy and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the King Salman Renewable Energy Initiative. The NREP serves as a strategic framework to diversify the Kingdom’s energy sources, stimulate economic development, and promote sustainable stability. By 2030, the program aims for renewable energy to account for nearly 50 percent of the energy mix used for electricity generation. It aims to establish a robust renewable energy industry and advance this vital sector while upholding the Kingdom’s commitment to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The SPPC is tasked with conducting preliminary studies, tendering, and procuring electricity generated from energy projects within the Kingdom. So far, projects totaling over 19 gigawatts have been awarded under the NREP. In another move earlier this year, the SPPC finalized power purchase agreements valued at SR12.3 billion ($3.3 billion) for three solar photovoltaic projects with ACWA Power Co., Water & Electricity Holding Co., known as Badeel, and Aramco Power. These solar projects include the Haden Solar PV and Al-Muwaih Solar PV in the Makkah region, each with a capacity of 2,000 MW, alongside the Al-Khushaybi PV project in Qassim Province, which will add 1,500 MW to the grid. In February, the SPPC also announced qualified bidders for its fifth round of renewable energy projects, set to add 3,700 MW to the grid. A total of 23 companies, including Abu Dhabi Future Energy Co. or Masdar, GEK Terna, and EDF Renewables, were selected for key roles in these initiatives, which further underline the Kingdom’s commitment to expanding its renewable energy landscape.