Tabuk is the site of the world’s largest integrated off-grid utilities system, which has now reached its Project Commercial Operation Date. The system provides renewable energy, potable water, wastewater treatment, district cooling, and waste management through a single integrated platform.
According to SPA, the project is a result of a partnership between Red Sea Global and a consortium led by ACWA Power, including SPIC Huanghe Hydropower and Saudi Tabreed. The commercial operation follows the signing of a certificate by Marafiq Red Sea for Energy Co. (MRSEC) and the Red Sea Utilities Company, marking the start of a 25-year concession period.
The system utilizes a 340 MWac solar photovoltaic plant and a 1,227 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), which is the largest off-grid battery storage system globally. This setup allows the destination to receive power during the night and produces up to 760,000 MWh of clean energy annually, avoiding approximately 600,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Current services are provided to Red Sea International Airport, hotels at The Red Sea destination, the logistics hub, the staff village, a fleet of electric vehicles, and operational facilities. The platform is designed to be scalable to accommodate future phases of the destination.
What components make up the power generation system in Tabuk? The power generation system consists of a 340 MWac solar photovoltaic plant integrated with a 1,227 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). This BESS is the largest off-grid battery storage system in the world, and its integration ensures that the destination can receive power throughout the night.
Which facilities are currently served by the integrated utilities system? The system serves several key areas, including hotels operating at The Red Sea destination and the Red Sea International Airport. Additionally, it provides utilities to the logistics hub, the staff village, a fleet of electric vehicles, and various supporting community and operational facilities.
What are the environmental and operational outputs of the project? The generation system produces up to 760,000 MWh of clean energy every year, which helps avoid about 600,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Operationally, the system provides five core utilities: renewable energy, potable water, waste management, wastewater treatment, and district cooling.
Who are the partners involved in the utilities project concession? The project involves a partnership between Red Sea Global and a consortium led by ACWA Power, which includes Saudi Tabreed and SPIC Huanghe Hydropower. The 25-year concession period was formally started following the signing of a Commercial Operation Certificate by the Red Sea Utilities Company and Marafiq Red Sea for Energy Co. (MRSEC).