Saudi Electricity Company Unveils Details of its Major Investments and Projects for Hajj 1445 AH

The Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has announced a comprehensive package of major investments and infrastructure projects in Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites to ensure a stable, reliable power supply for the 1445 AH Hajj season, according to an official press release issued on June 11, 2024. The initiatives, worth hundreds of millions of Saudi riyals, are designed to enhance the electricity network, improve service quality, and guarantee the comfort and safety of millions of pilgrims and residents during the annual pilgrimage. SEC’s efforts reflect the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to serving the guests of God and its broader Vision 2030 goal of delivering world-class infrastructure and sustainable energy solutions.

Context and Background

The Hajj season represents one of the largest annual gatherings of people in the world, with millions of pilgrims converging on Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites. This massive influx places immense demands on infrastructure, particularly electricity, which powers everything from lighting and cooling to medical facilities and communications. The Saudi Electricity Company, the Kingdom’s primary electricity provider, has a long-standing mandate to ensure uninterrupted power during this critical period. The 1445 AH Hajj projects build on decades of investment and are part of SEC’s ongoing national efforts to develop electrical infrastructure in the holy sites, which experience exceptionally high density during Hajj.

The official press release, issued via the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), details a series of strategic projects aimed at modernizing the grid, automating distribution networks, and expanding capacity. These measures are aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to enhance the quality of life for citizens and visitors, improve public services, and position the Kingdom as a global leader in pilgrimage management and sustainable development.

Key Investments and Projects

Among the flagship projects is the automation of distribution networks at the holy sites, linking smart stations to a fiber-optic network at a cost of SAR200 million. This project involves extensive groundwork and concrete closures covering distances of 335 km and 312 km, respectively. More than 2,400 stations have been connected to the fiber-optic network, significantly boosting the efficiency and sustainability of the electrical network in densely populated areas. The automation reduces emergency response times to fractions of a second, ensuring a seamless experience for pilgrims, stakeholders, and all beneficiaries.

SEC has also expanded electrical networks, improved existing stations, and integrated mobile stations into the current grid. A gantry station was launched on May 1, 2024, at a cost of over SAR2 million, connecting the aerial transport network with the ground network and linking a 380 kV mobile station to the grid. Additionally, 110 kV mobile stations have been connected with an investment of SAR60 million. Operational since May 31, 2024, this project covers a network exceeding 4 km, with a total station capacity of 147 MVA, improving power distribution and meeting increased demand during Hajj.

Further investments include projects worth over SAR166 million for subscriber connections in the central area of Makkah and the holy sites. Projects to enhance medium- and low-voltage networks cost more than SAR36 million, while network replacement and automation of distribution stations in these areas cost SAR46 million. A project to connect subscribers in pilgrim housing areas, costing over SAR6 million, has also been implemented, along with several specialized distribution projects to ensure stable and reliable service for pilgrims.

Regarding facility development, SEC has set up 22 launch centers in Arafat at a total cost of over SAR25 million, and six launch centers in Mina and Muzdalifah costing more than SAR9 million. These centers ensure prompt and efficient response from technical teams to address any issues. Additionally, a building adjacent to the operations and control center, costing over SAR18 million, and eight buildings for stationed staff accommodation at transformer stations, costing more than SAR8 million, have been constructed.

In Madinah, projects include enhancing medium-voltage networks in the central area for SAR14 million, extending over 22 km and including three stations. Low-voltage network improvements, costing SAR21 million, have added 35 km of new networks with a total capacity of 56 MVA across 20 stations. These projects will strengthen the electrical infrastructure and provide reliable service for residents and visitors in Madinah.

Implications and Impact

These investments have far-reaching implications for the Hajj experience and for Saudi Arabia’s broader infrastructure goals. By ensuring a stable and reliable power supply, SEC directly contributes to the safety, comfort, and well-being of millions of pilgrims, enabling them to perform their religious duties without disruption. The automation and smart grid technologies deployed at the holy sites set a benchmark for efficient energy management in high-density environments, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s technological capabilities and its capacity to manage large-scale events.

Moreover, the projects demonstrate SEC’s proactive approach to infrastructure development, anticipating the growing number of pilgrims and the corresponding rise in electricity demand. The integration of mobile stations and the expansion of network capacity not only prevent outages but also enhance the overall resilience of the grid. This is particularly important as Saudi Arabia continues to expand the Grand Mosque and other holy sites to accommodate more pilgrims, in line with Vision 2030’s goal to welcome 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually by 2030.

Internationally, these initiatives reinforce the Kingdom’s reputation for excellence in pilgrimage services and its leadership in energy innovation. They also align with global sustainability trends, as the fiber-optic network and smart stations contribute to energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact. The successful execution of these projects during Hajj 1445 AH will serve as a model for future infrastructure developments across the Kingdom and beyond.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The Saudi Electricity Company’s investments for Hajj 1445 AH are a clear reflection of Vision 2030’s objectives to enhance the quality of life for all, improve public services, and build a sustainable and diversified economy. By upgrading electrical infrastructure at the holy sites, SEC supports the Kingdom’s efforts to provide a world-class experience for pilgrims, a key pillar of the Vision’s pilgrimage expansion program. These projects also contribute to the development of smart cities and digital infrastructure, positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in innovation and service excellence. As the Kingdom continues its journey toward a brighter future, SEC’s commitment to reliable and sustainable energy will remain central to achieving Vision 2030 and serving the guests of God with the highest standards of care and efficiency.

20 Questions

Q1. What did the Saudi Electricity Company announce for Hajj 1445 AH?

A1. SEC announced major investments and projects in Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites to improve the electricity network and ensure a stable power supply for pilgrims and residents during Hajj 1445 AH.

Q2. What is the cost of automating distribution networks at the holy sites?

A2. The automation of distribution networks, linking smart stations to a fiber-optic network, costs SAR200 million and involves extensive groundwork and concrete closures over hundreds of kilometers.

Q3. How many stations have been connected to the fiber-optic network?

A3. Over 2,400 stations have been connected to the fiber-optic network, boosting the efficiency and sustainability of the electrical network in densely populated areas of the holy sites.

Q4. What is the purpose of the gantry station launched on May 1, 2024?

A4. The gantry station, costing over SAR2 million, connects the aerial transport network with the ground network and links a 380 kV mobile station to the grid to enhance stability and energy delivery.

Q5. What is the investment for connecting 110 kV mobile stations?

A5. SEC connected 110 kV mobile stations with an investment of SAR60 million; the project covers over 4 km and has a total station capacity of 147 MVA.

Q6. How much has SEC invested in subscriber connections in Makkah and the holy sites?

A6. SEC has invested over SAR166 million in projects for subscriber connections in the central area of Makkah and the holy sites, ensuring stable and reliable electricity service.

Q7. What is the cost of enhancing medium- and low-voltage networks?

A7. Projects to enhance medium- and low-voltage networks cost more than SAR36 million, contributing to improved electricity distribution in the holy sites.

Q8. How much was spent on network replacement and automation of distribution stations?

A8. Network replacement and automation of distribution stations in the central area of Makkah and the holy sites cost SAR46 million, enhancing grid reliability.

Q9. What project supports pilgrim housing areas?

A9. A project to connect subscribers in pilgrim housing areas, costing over SAR6 million, has been implemented to ensure stable electricity distribution for pilgrims.

Q10. How many launch centers has SEC set up in Arafat?

A10. SEC has set up 22 launch centers in Arafat at a total cost of over SAR25 million to ensure prompt and efficient response from technical teams.

Q11. How many launch centers are in Mina and Muzdalifah?

A11. Six launch centers in Mina and Muzdalifah have been established, costing more than SAR9 million, to address any electricity issues quickly.

Q12. What facility was built adjacent to the operations and control center?

A12. A building adjacent to the operations and control center, costing over SAR18 million, was constructed to support SEC’s operations during Hajj.

Q13. How many staff accommodation buildings were built at transformer stations?

A13. Eight buildings for stationed staff accommodation at transformer stations, costing more than SAR8 million, have been constructed to support technical teams.

Q14. What projects are planned for Madinah’s medium-voltage networks?

A14. Madinah’s medium-voltage network enhancement costs SAR14 million, extends over 22 km, and includes three stations to strengthen electrical infrastructure.

Q15. What improvements were made to low-voltage networks in Madinah?

A15. Low-voltage network improvements in Madinah cost SAR21 million, adding 35 km of new networks with a total capacity of 56 MVA across 20 stations.

Q16. How does SEC’s automation reduce emergency response times?

A16. The fiber-optic network and smart stations enable emergency response times to be reduced to fractions of a second, ensuring a seamless experience for pilgrims and stakeholders.

Q17. What is the total capacity of the 110 kV mobile stations?

A17. The 110 kV mobile stations have a total capacity of 147 MVA, improving power distribution and meeting increased demand during Hajj.

Q18. Why are these projects important for the Hajj season?

A18. They ensure a stable and reliable power supply for millions of pilgrims and residents, preventing

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