RIYADH: Saudi Ministry of Energy announced that small-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are ready to produce electricity for consumers’ houses and enterprises, to be later connected to the Kingdom’s grid, Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday, citing a ministry statement.
The economic feasibility of installing the small-scale solar PV systems will be studied, while determining the estimated costs and the measures related to the safe connection to the grid, in addition to the related applicable specifications.
In this regard, the Electricity & Co-Generation Regulatory Authority (ECRA) developed a new platform, “Shamsi”, as other governmental authorities assume their responsibilities according to respective competencies.
These solar PV systems will help provide the renewable energy and enhance the local content usage, in addition to encouraging Saudization in several energy fields, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
The ministry also indicated that qualified companies and contractors, which will be responsible for installing and connecting these systems to the Kingdom’s grid, will be shortlisted according to firm criteria.
The qualification process will compromise several phases, including general assessment of bidders, technical assessment of proposals, approval of bidding proposals, and then the announcement of the qualified bidders.
Lists are periodically updated, as more firms are applying to undertake the project, after fulfilling criteria.
The regulatory framework of the small-scale solar PV systems determines the related requirements for connection of small-scale solar PV systems with the distribution network; sets up required framework for net billing arrangements of surplus energy to the distribution system; ensuring efficient and safe construction, installation, maintenance and operation of small-scale solar PV systems in all premises across the Kingdom; in addition to protecting consumers and boosting their awareness related to small-scale solar PV systems.
The project’s participating entities are the Ministry of Energy, ECRA, Ministry of Municipality and Rural Affairs (MoMRA), Ministry of Housing, Ministry of Commerce and Investment (MOCI), King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE), and Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO).
Saudi energy ministry says solar PV systems ‘ready’ to produce electricity
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Saudi energy ministry says solar PV systems ‘ready’ to produce electricity
- The economic feasibility of installing the small-scale solar PV systems will be studied
Saudia airline receives 27m tourists, visitors during 2025
RIYADH: Collaboration between Saudi Arabia’s national carrier Saudia and the Saudi Tourism Authority in 2025 resulted in the Kingdom receiving approximately 27 million tourists and visitors from 24 countries on Saudia flights.
Khaled Tash, Group chief marketing officer of Saudia, praised the partnership with the STA, noting that it will contribute to reaching the target of 150 million tourists by 2030, following the achievement of the initial target in 2023.
The announcement was made during the launch of a Saudia aircraft adorned with the “Spirit of Saudi” logo at Saudia Technic’s maintenance, repair and overhaul village in Jeddah.
The launch forms part of the strategic partnership with the STA aimed at enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a global tourism destination.
The aircraft will fly to 25 destinations worldwide during 2026, serving as a mobile promotional platform reflecting authentic Saudi hospitality and supporting Vision 2030 goals to attract visitors from around the world.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, Tash said the aircraft selected for the partnership is the Boeing B787-9, designed for long-haul flights to some of the Kingdom’s farthest destinations, including Jeddah–Washington routes, as well as East Asia and China.
For his part, Abdullah Al-Dakhil, the official spokesperson for the STA, affirmed that air connectivity is a key pillar of the tourism sector. He pointed out that the aim of this partnership, utilizing the international Boeing B787-9 aircraft, which attracts visitors from around the world, is to make the aircraft, with all its amenities, a creative promotional platform for travelers during their journey to Saudi Arabia.
This will allow them to experience authentic Saudi hospitality even before arriving in the Kingdom, where diverse destinations, seasons and international events await year-round.
Saudi Arabia is investing billions of dollars as part of its Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy away from fossil fuels, boosting its private sector, and enhancing connectivity, as well as solidifying its role in the global aviation industry.
As part of the plan, the Kingdom aims to serve 330 million passengers across more than 250 destinations and transport 4.5 million tonnes of air cargo by 2030.
