Acwa Power Inks Power Purchase Agreement for 700 Mw Ar Rass Solar Pv Project in Saudi Arabia

by with No Comment News

ACWA Power, a leading developer, investor and operator of power generation, desalinated water and green hydrogen plants, and the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC), the principal buyer, signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) to develop the 700 MW Ar Rass solar photovoltaic independent power plant (IPP) in Saudi Arabia’s Al Qassim province. The agreement was signed in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia.

Under the terms of the agreement, ACWA Power will sell energy produced by the project to SPPC for a period of 25 years. Valued at US$450 million (SAR 1.7billion), Ar Rass is the largest PV project that has been tendered as part of Saudi Arabia’s National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP) to date, for which ACWA Power has been earmarked to deliver 70% of the total 58.7 GW target.

ACWA Power will hold a (40.1%) stake in the facility, along with (20%) by the Water and Electricity Holding Company (Badeel), a wholly owned PIF Portfolio Company, and (39.9%) will be owned by the State Power Investment Corporation from China. When fully functional, the project will produce energy to power around 132,000 homes in central Saudi Arabia.

During the signing ceremony, the Minister of Energy announced that the energy sector aims to launch several renewable energy projects to produce approximately 15,000 megawatts of clean energy between the years 2022 and 2023, with the aim of diversifying the energy mix and achieving its designated targets.

His Royal Highness praised the relentless support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for his leadership and guidance in all areas that ensure the prosperity of the Kingdom and its citizens. His Royal Highness also expressed his gratitude for the support of His Royal Highness, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Saudi Arabia, for his crucial role in empowering the energy sector, bolstered by his directives that drove the Kingdom to new heights. He emphasized that these newly introduced projects translate the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 into tangible outcomes, which ultimately contribute to reaching the Kingdom’s optimal energy mix and its shift from consuming liquid fuels in electricity production to gas and renewable energy.

The Ar Rass IPP is expected to reach financial close in Q4 2022.

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ACWA Power currently operates Sakaka, a 300MW solar facility, and is also working on constructing Sudair, a 1500 MW independent solar PV project with Saudi Aramco and the Water and Electricity Holding Company (Badeel), a wholly owned PIF Portfolio Company, which is considered the largest of its kind in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and one of the largest solar energy projects in the world.

Source: ACWA Power

ACWA POWER SIGNS AGREEMENT FOR 100MW UZBEKISTAN WIND POWER PROJECT

by with No Comment News

ACWA Power, a leading Saudi developer, investor and operator of power generation, desalinated water and green hydrogen plants worldwide, announced it has finalised the project agreements for the 100MW Nukus wind project in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Valued at US$108 million, the Nukus wind farm is located in the Karakalpakstan region, in North-western Uzbekistan. This project is Uzbekistan’s first publicly tendered wind project. ACWA Power won the competitive bid after proposing a tariff of US 2.5695 cents/kwh.

ACWA Power Wind Karatau FE LLC signed the 25- year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with JSC National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan (NEGU), and ACWA Power Wind Karatau FE LLC and ACWA Power signed the Government Support Agreement (GSA) with the Government of Uzbekistan represented by the Ministry of Finance. Representatives from the Public-Private Partnership Development Agency under the Ministry of Finance of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) were also presented during the signing ceremony.“

Alisher Sultanov, Uzbekistan Minister of Energy said :We welcome this agreement as a further indication of ACWA Power’s commitment to Uzbekistan’s energy future. It is also a validation of the open and transparent bidding process we have put in place, with 12 well-qualified international bidders competing. We look forward to working with ACWA on this and its other exciting projects in our country.

The Nukus wind farm is ACWA Power’s fourth project in Uzbekistan, after the US$1.2 billion Sirdarya project, which is a 1500MW Combined Cycle Gas-Turbine (CCGT) power plant, the 500 MW Bash facility and the US$1.3 billion Djankedly wind power project in Bukhara.

The project seeks to bolster the Uzbekistan government’s efforts to diversify the country’s energy mix and increase its renewable energy capacity in line with recent strategic reforms. The country’s Ministry of Energy is targeting an 8GW capacity for solar and wind energy by 2026.

The Nukus wind farm’s financial close is expected to be finalised by the third quarter of 2022, with commercial operations scheduled for early 2024.

Source: ACWA power

Aramco, Air Products, ACWA Power, and Air Products Qudra Sign Asset Acquisition and Project Financing Agreements for $12 Billion ASU/Gasification/Power Joint Venture in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

by with No Comment News

Aramco, Air Products, ACWA Power and Air Products Qudra announced the signing and finalization of definitive agreements for the asset acquisition and project financing of the $12 billion air separation unit (ASU)/gasification/power joint venture (JV) in Jazan Economic City.

Aramco via its subsidiary Saudi Aramco Power Company (SAPCO) has a 20 percent share in the JV; Air Products 46 percent; ACWA Power 25 percent; and Air Products Qudra 9 percent. Moreover, Air Products’ total ownership position is 50.6 percent by owning an additional 4.6 percent through Air Products Qudra.

The JV is purchasing the ASUs, gasification, syngas cleanup, utilities and power assets from Aramco. The JV owns and operates the facility under a 25-year contract for a fixed monthly fee. Aramco will supply feedstock to the JV, and the JV will produce power, steam, hydrogen and other utilities for Aramco.

The JV serves Aramco’s Jazan Refinery, a megaproject to process 400,000 barrels per day of the crude oil to produce the main products such as ultra-light sulphur diesel, gasoline, and other products.

With the completion of these definitive agreements, all parties under the joint venture expect asset transfer and funding to occur during the month of October 2021. Air Products intends to conduct a public investor call at that time.

Mohammed Al Qahtani, Senior Vice President of Downstream, Aramco said: “We are very pleased to reach this significant milestone. Aramco originally built the world’s largest integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) complex to employ gasification technology for the first time in the Kingdom and to keep pace with the development of the Kingdom’s Southern Province industrially and economically. This JV is meant to be central to the self-sufficiency of our megaprojects at Jazan. We believe the JV will enhance the overall value of the refinery and integrated gasification combined cycle power plant, and aid in transforming the province by positioning Jazan Economic City for additional foreign investment and private sector involvement. In fact, we are pleased to have the Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF) and 23 local and international lenders engaged in this transaction securing a total of $7.2Bn.  We are optimistic that future investment offers the potential to be a game-changer in the years ahead.”

Air Products Chairman, President and CEO, Seifi Ghasemi, said: “We are very proud to announce the finalization of the definitive agreements for this complex transaction and now move forward. This is a perfect fit with our growth strategy. It is a value-creating investment for Air Products and leverages our core syngas purification and industrial gas production capabilities. Most importantly, it is a privilege to further strengthen our relationship with Aramco, the world’s largest company, and to partner with ACWA Power and Qudra Energy in this megaproject, which supports the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and building partnerships for mutual growth.”

Mohammad Abunayyan, Chairman of ACWA Power, said: “The successful financial agreement concluded today is the largest agreement of its kind in ACWA Power’s history and highlights our continued firm commitment to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and its strategic goals for the energy sector. A monumental shift is underway in Saudi Arabia’s energy sector, and we are proud of our partnership and close collaboration with Aramco and Air Products towards diversifying the energy mix and increasing the efficiency of the sector. Drawing on the pioneering expertise and capabilities of all joint venture partners, Jazan IGCC is set to be the largest integrated project for gasification and combined cycle energy production in the world. Bringing the most advanced technologies to the Kingdom, the Jazan project will push the boundaries. We are also exceptionally proud to add to ACWA Power’s track record in training and upskilling Saudi talent to meet the requirements of the sector.”

Source: Air Products

ACWA POWER SIGNS FINAL PROJECT AGREEMENTS ON 200MW KOM OMBO PV PLANT WITH EGYPTIAN GOVERNMENT

by with No Comment News

ACWA Power, a leading Saudi developer, investor and operator of power generation and desalinated water plants in 13 markets, has finalised the project agreements for the 200MW Kom Ombo PV plant in Egypt.

The signing of the 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Network Connection Contract and Usufruct Agreement was conducted via a virtual ceremony held with senior government officials and representatives from the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC); The New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA), and ACWA Power.

The agreements were signed by Eng. Sabah Mashaly, Chairman of EETC; Dr. Mohamed Al-KHayat, Chairman of NREA; Rajit Nanda, Chief Portfolio Management Officer and acting CIO of ACWA Power; and Eng. Hassan Amin, Country Development Director- Egypt, ACWA Power.

Source: www.acwapower.com

PetropipeFze

Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM Sign Agreement for $5 Billion Production Facility in NEOM Powered by Renewable Energy for Production and Export of Green Hydrogen to Global Markets

by with No Comment News

The World’s Largest Green Hydrogen Project Will Supply 650 Tons Per Day of Carbon-Free Hydrogen for Transportation Globally and Save the World Three Million Tons Per Year of CO2,

Air Products, in conjunction with ACWA Power and NEOM, announced the signing of an agreement for a $5 billion world-scale green hydrogen-based ammonia production facility powered by renewable energy. The project, which will be equally owned by the three partners, will be sited in NEOM, a new model for sustainable living located in the north west corner of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and will produce green ammonia for export to global markets.

The joint venture project is the first partnership for NEOM with leading international and national partners in the renewable energy field and it will be a cornerstone for its strategy to become a major player in the global hydrogen market. It is based on proven, world-class technology and will include the innovative integration of over four gigawatts of renewable power from solar, wind and storage; production of 650 tons per day of hydrogen by electrolysis using thyssenkrupp technology; production of nitrogen by air separation using Air Products technology; and production of 1.2 million tons per year of green ammonia using Haldor Topsoe technology. The project is scheduled to be onstream in 2025.   

Air Products will be the exclusive off-taker of the green ammonia and intends to transport it around the world to be dissociated to produce green hydrogen for the transportation market.

“We are honored and proud to partner with ACWA Power and NEOM and use proven technologies to make the world’s dream of 100 percent green energy a reality,” said Seifi Ghasemi, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer for Air Products. “Harnessing the unique profile of NEOM’s sun and wind to convert water to hydrogen, this project will yield a totally clean source of energy on a massive scale and will save the world over three million tons of CO2 emissions annually and eliminate smog-forming emissions and other pollutants from the equivalent of over 700,000 cars.”

Mohammad A. Abunayyan, ACWA Power Chairman, said, “Stemming from our belief in Vision 2030 and HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s aspirations for NEOM to become the global pioneer in sustainable living, the Board of Directors and Management of ACWA Power are proud to take part in this groundbreaking and first-of-its-kind investment in the world. ACWA Power has a proven track record of leveraging pioneering renewable technologies to deliver carbon-free power at the lowest cost. With our global experience, we are confident that our collaboration with an industry-leading company like Air Products will create significant opportunities in the production of green hydrogen, and further us in our goal to help countries meet their clean energy targets and unlock significant socio-economic benefits. Based in NEOM’s Industrial Cluster, and enabled by its unique mandate, this investment will integrate and localize cutting-edge technologies that will harness solar and wind power to produce sustainable and globally accessible green energy.”

NEOM CEO, Nadhmi Al-Nasr, said, “This partnership reflects our deep commitment to developing a carbon positive society which will be a beacon for sustainable living and a solution to many of the environmental challenges facing the world. This demonstrates the ability of NEOM to generate significant partnership opportunities for international and national investors. This is a pivotal moment for the development of NEOM and a key element in Saudi Vision 2030 contributing to the Kingdom’s clean energy and circular carbon economy strategy. As the world’s largest renewable hydrogen project, NEOM’s Board of Directors, headed by HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the company’s Executive team are delighted to announce this significant milestone for NEOM in becoming a global leader in green hydrogen production and green fuels. We are also excited that two world-class organizations, Air Products and ACWA Power, have joined us in developing this major project, the first of many developments at this scale that will put NEOM at the heart of a new future society.”

Source: NEOM NewsRoom

ACWA-POWER-AND-UZBECK

ACWA POWER SIGNS MILESTONE AGREEMENTS WITH MINISTRY OF ENERGY OF UZBEKISTAN

by with No Comment News

ACWA Power announces the signing of three new strategic agreements, potentially worth up to US2.5 billion, with The Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan to amplify power generation and develop technical expertise.

The agreements include:

  • A 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and Investment Agreement – with a total investment value of US$1.2 billion – for the development/construction/operation of a 1500 MW Combined Cycle Gas-Turbine (CCGT) power plant
  • An Implementation Agreement worth US$550 million-US$1.1 billion for the building of wind power plants with a capacity of 500-1000 MW
  • A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the development of a training centre to enhance technical skills of Uzbek students and professionals

The 1500 MW CCGT power plant shall contribute to Uzbekistan’s fast track ambitious plan to attract foreign direct investment in essential key sectors and the implementation of its energy diversification strategy. The project will be located in Shirin City in the Sirdarya region and will be developed as a ‘Build, Own, Operate, Transfer’ projects. ACWA Power will take the lead in constructing, engineering, operating and maintaining the plant.

The project has an estimated aggregate worth of US$1.2 billion. The PPA has a 25-year duration, with JSC National Electric Grids of Uzbekistan acting as the sole off-taker. The CCGT plant’s efficiency rate will be in excess of 60% – saving almost twice the natural gas currently used for electricity production. The Investment Agreement for this project is signed with the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade.

An implementation agreement worth US$550 million-US$1.1 billion has also been signed with the Ministry of Energy to utilise Uzbekistan’s natural renewable energy sources. The agreement envisages the development, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of a 500-1000 MW wind farm.

The third agreement is an MoU between the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan, Air Products & Chemicals and ACWA Power. This agreement entails training programs to bolster the technical expertise of students and professionals at one or more colleges in Uzbekistan. It will equip potential talent with the tools and knowledge to gradually support a local supply chain for the utilities and chemicals sectors in Uzbekistan.

The agreements reflect Uzbekistan’s growing role in the global energy market, its commitment to energy security and use of the latest technologies. It also demonstrates Uzbekistan is becoming an attractive destination for foreign investors.

Source: http://bit.ly/2TZcnhR