Saudi Arabia has advanced its renewable energy push with a new 25-year Power Purchase Agreement for the 600 MW Samtah Solar PV project, according to the Ministry of Energy and company statements.
The agreement was signed in Riyadh under the supervision of the Ministry of Energy by the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) and EDF Power Solutions with the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC), according to the companies. His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Energy, attended the ceremony alongside senior executives.
The project, part of Round 6 of the National Renewable Energy Program, will be developed, financed, built, owned, and operated by a consortium of SEC and EDF Power Solutions, according to the companies. It will be located in Jazan Province, about 35 kilometers southwest of Jazan City and 15 kilometers north of Samtah, according to the companies.
Commercial operations are targeted for the first quarter of 2028, providing clean power for more than 100,000 homes each year and avoiding over 1.1 million tons of CO2 annually, according to the companies. The initiative supports the national goal of generating around 50 percent of electricity from renewables by 2030, according to the Ministry of Energy.
Executives signing the PPA included Eng. Khalid bin Salem AlGhamdi, CEO of SEC; Mazin Al-Bahkali, CEO of SPPC; and Omar Al-Daweesh, CEO KSA, EDF Group and EDF Power Solutions. EDF noted its renewable capacity in the Kingdom now totals 4,100 MW, according to the company.
In statements, SEC emphasized that Samtah is its first large-scale solar PV venture and a catalyst for decarbonization under Vision 2030. EDF highlighted technical expertise, local value creation, and adherence to high environmental and social standards.
Together, the partners frame Samtah as a cornerstone project for Saudi Arabia’s energy transition—scaling clean power while ensuring reliable service nationwide, according to the Ministry of Energy and company statements.
