Ma’aden and GlassPoint Unveil Plans for World’s Largest Industrial Solar Thermal Project at Future Minerals Forum

During the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) and GlassPoint announced their collaboration to build a Technology Showcase for the world’s largest industrial solar thermal project. The Technology Showcase, presented at the forum, is the initial phase of the project, aiming to supply nine tons of steam per hour to decarbonize Ma’aden’s aluminum supply chain.

The Technology Showcase, which integrates direct heat generation and storage, will provide a continuous base load of steam to Ma’aden’s Alumina refinery at Ras al Khair. The initial capacity represents about 1% of the larger project, projected to save over 12 million MMBTUs of energy annually and reduce carbon emissions by 600,000 tons per year.

Robert Wilt, CEO of Ma’aden, emphasized the company’s commitment to large-scale decarbonization, positioning Ma’aden as a sustainable industrial leader and supporting climate goals. Rod MacGregor, GlassPoint founder and CEO, highlighted the significance of the Technology Showcase in initiating project development and praised Saudi Arabia’s leadership in decarbonization efforts.

The Technology Showcase will introduce new advancements from GlassPoint, reducing solution costs by over 30%. These enhancements include GlassPoint’s Unify storage system, utilizing direct heat and ternary molten salts for around-the-clock steam production. The showcase will also feature lighter materials to improve solar efficiency, reduce weight, and enhance overall sustainability.

This announcement follows GlassPoint’s partnership with the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia to establish a solar manufacturing facility in the Eastern Province, serving as an export hub for clean energy projects in the region.