Al Kahfah Solar Power Project: Advancing Saudi Arabia’s Renewable Energy Goals with Cutting-Edge Technology and Strategic Partnerships

Al Kahfah stands as one of the pivotal solar PV Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects, jointly led by Badeel and ACWA Power. This venture aims to supply clean energy to the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC), aligning with Vision 2030 targets and the Ministry of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Program to elevate renewables to 50% of the nation’s energy mix by 2030. L&T, a renowned global construction giant, has secured the engineering, procurement, and construction contract for the Al Kahfah Solar Power Plant.

The Al Kahfah project will employ Nextracker’s NX Horizon-XTR smart solar tracker systems. Situated on rugged, hard-soil terrain, typical land preparation methods would necessitate explosives and grading machinery. However, Nextracker’s innovative solar tracking technology can adapt to natural contours, minimizing costly land grading and environmental impact.

This project marks Nextracker’s largest deployment of NX Horizon-XTR trackers in a single order to date, signifying a significant milestone in the growing Middle East, India, and Africa (MEIA) solar energy market. With over 10 GW of smart solar trackers operational or in progress across the region, Nextracker reaffirms its commitment to this market.

Nextracker has extended its domestic content and capacity development program in the Kingdom to support ACWA Power and the Al Kahfah project. Local partners are engaged in providing raw materials and manufacturing support for trackers at regional plants.

Notably, Nextracker previously collaborated with ACWA Power and L&T on the Sudair Solar PV Plant (906 MW), enhancing energy generation capabilities. Dan Shugar, Nextracker’s founder and CEO, expressed confidence in contributing to the Al Kahfah plant, emphasizing Saudi government leadership in the energy transition and the pivotal role of solar technology in driving renewable energy adoption in the region.

Marco Arcelli, ACWA Power CEO, highlighted the importance of partnerships with technology providers like Nextracker in supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambitious renewable energy goals.

Bharathi Kumar, General Manager (Renewable International) at Larsen & Toubro Construction, praised Nextracker’s solutions for their flexibility, efficiency, and robust design, making them well-suited for the region’s conditions.