The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Royal Commission has signed an agreement with Al-Afandi Solar to build a solar cell and silicon panel manufacturing facility. This solar facility is said to be the largest commercial complementary factory across the Middle East.
The contract signing took place in Yanbu, located west of Saudi Arabia. The contract states that Al-Afandi will be founding the largest complementary commercial factory responsible for manufacturing solar cells and silicon panels in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East.
Yanbu Royal Commission Chief Executive Dr. Alaa Nassif and Al-Afandi Solar Board Director Mr. Ibrahim Al-Afandi signed the billion-dollar solar facility contract. The facility is expected to fill a substantial advancement towards meeting the mandate on solar energy utilization on both regional and local scales.
Mr. Al-Afandi states that the solar factory will be manufacturing cells and panels actively before 2016 ends. He points out that it is anticipated for the facility to produce solar panels that will be generating 120 megawatts of renewable energy, which is equivalent to around 450,000 solar panels, yearly. This power output is said to be enough for the electricity needed to cover the ever-growing demand on renewable energy sources. Generated electricity rate is expected to hit 1000 megawatts after the completion and execution of all the stages required to run the facility.
Al-Afandi Solar Group Deputy Director and Board Member Engineer Majd al-Dohawi deep-rooted that the founding of an integrated facility resembles the Kingdom's National Transform program. The program is considered to be a substantially strategical leap for the economy of Saudi Arabia. He adds that the whole process of finding alternative energy sources like solar and wind, the construction of the factory, elevates domestic content and supports national economy that plays a major role for basic factors that support economic life.
Solar power has become an adequate option for Saudi's sunny region. This energy source can provide a huge segment of electricity for local needs. Also, solar power provides room for oil accumulation that increases Saudi's oil exports. KSA has already made investments of up to US$3 billion in the renewable energy sector.
