GE can support NEOM across several sectors, says CEO of MENA renewables

Saudi Arabia’s commitment towards clean power is underlined by the fact that energy powerhouses such as Saudi Aramco and Saudi Electricity Co. have stepped in to deliver, says chief executive officer (renewable energy-MENA & Turkey) Manar Al-Moneef. In an interview with Argaam, Al-Moneef discussed GE’s potential opportunities at the Kingdom’s $500 billion NEOM megacity, and the potential of wind energy segment.

Q: Saudi Arabia has announced a number of new initiatives in the renewables sector. Is GE looking at any areas for future participation?

A: I see huge opportunities in renewables in Saudi Arabia. We are the first company to have installed pilot wind turbine projects in partnership with the Saudi Electricity Co. (SEC) and Saudi Aramco – both of which are now delivering clean power. This is tangible evidence that the era of renewable energy is real and is taking shape right here, right now in the region.

To have the support and commitment of powerhouses in the energy sector, such as Saudi Aramco and Saudi Electricity Co., is testament to the potential of renewable energy. GE is also working with REPDO (Renewable Energy Project Development Office) and SEC to support the deployment of renewable energy in the country.

Q: NEOM is being developed as a mainly solar-powered city. Will GE be part of the megaproject at any level?

A: We believe that NEOM is an exciting and ambitious vision, one where GE has the capabilities across many sectors to help transform it into reality.

NEOM is a natural next step of the ambitious program the Kingdom announced in 2016 under the Vision 2030. It is important now, more than ever, to invest in building a diversified energy infrastructure that is fully equipped to meet this growing appetite for electricity.

In addition, key economic benefits of renewables to the Kingdom must be highlighted, including low cost of power generation, producing extra electricity for export, freeing up oil and gas resources for export, job creation and supply chain growth. 

Q: What is GE Renewables current investment in Saudi Arabia? Have you allocated any fresh funds for the country?

A: The Vision 2030 outlines an ambitious renewables target that will require an estimated $30 billion of investment. As the market grows in Saudi, the supply chain and services ecosystem should naturally grow with this level of investment.

Q: What renewable energy projects is GE working on in the UAE?

A: GE supported the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). Based on the agreement, GE will supply its LV5 1,500-volt solar inverters to Phase III of the development, which has a power capacity of 800MW. GE has previously provided 220MW of LV5 inverters to the Phase II of the project, which was inaugurated in March this year. Partnering with DEWA, GE will in total supply more than 1GW of solar inverters enough to power 250,000 homes.

Q: Saudi Arabia and the UAE have mainly focused on solar energy. Do you see any opportunities in the wind energy segment?

A: While solar has been a natural first step for Saudi and the UAE given the unique resources in this region, there are clear opportunities for wind in Saudi Arabia.

In 2010, Saudi Aramco initiated its REPDO team, with the goal of integrating renewable energy into the total energy mix. The extensive resource management program undertaken by the company in 2012 confirmed the Kingdom’s wind capabilities. This helped launch an active wind program in Saudi.

Part of the Vision 2030 is a plan for 9.5GW of renewables by 2023, 30 percent of which will be onshore wind. Saudi will tender a 400MW wind project this year and has announced they will tender another one next year.  

Write to Nadeshda Zareen at nadeshda.zareen@argaamplus.com