Saudi Arabia announces prequalified bidders for 2 GW / 8 GWh battery storage tender

The Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) has released a list of 33 prequalified bidders for its 2 GW / 8 GWh battery energy storage system (BESS) tender.

The tender, structured as a build-own-operate model, attracted major international players including Masdar, ACWA Power, EDF, TotalEnergies, Jinko Power and more. Prominent companies from China, South Korea, and Japan also feature, including Samsung, the China Energy Overseas Investment Company, China Power Engineering Consulting Group International Engineering, and China Southern Power Grid International.

Of the 33 prequalified bidders, 21 applied to provide both technology and management services for the BESS facilities, while the remaining 12 applied solely for asset management roles. The full list, in English, can be seen here, and is replicated below.

The tender comprises four 500 MW / 2,000 MWh BESS projects. Successful bidders enter into 15-year storage services contracts with SPPC and retain 100% equity in their projects through special purpose vehicle (SPV) companies.

The projects mark the first phase of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious battery storage program, designed to support its goal of 50% renewable energy by 2030. Each 500 MW facility will operate for four hours, providing 2,000 MWh of total power capacity, said the SPPC, at the following locations:

• 500 MW/4Hrs Al-Muwyah BESS ISPSite location: Makkah province, KSA.
• 500 MW/4Hrs Haden BESS ISPSite location: Makkah province, KSA
• 500 MW/4Hrs Al-Khushaybi BESS ISPSite location: Qassim province, KSA.
• 500 MW/4Hrs Al-Kahafa BESS ISPSite location: Hail province, KSA.