The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) has awarded its highest-value contract to date to a consortium led by ACWA Power to design, construct, operate and transfer the utilities infrastructure of the Red Sea Project.
The contract marks a major step forward for the Red Sea Project, establishing it as the first tourism destination in the area to be operated solely by renewable energy. A project of this magnitude has never been done anywhere in the world on this scale.
“This is a pivotal moment for us as we seek to build a new kind of tourism destination. We’ve always been committed to doing things differently and investing heavily in renewables is helping us to set new global standards in regenerative tourism.
“This contract also signifies a noteworthy step change for us as the consortium brings foreign investment to the project for the first time, demonstrating international support and confidence for the vision that is becoming a reality along the Red Sea coast. At the same time, we are delighted to partner with a consortium leader that has its roots in the Kingdom and shares our ambition to accelerate the energy transition locally.”
John Pagano, CEO of TRSDC.
All services will be delivered under a single agreement, exclusive to a contract of this kind, which includes the provision of green energy, drinking water, wastewater treatment, solid waste management and district cooling for the 16 hotels, the international airport and the facilities that make up phase one of the Red Sea Project.
“The Red Sea Project is a vital undertaking under the Saudi Vision 2030 and aims to be a global showcase of the Kingdom’s ability to develop ambitious mega projects. Being selected to support this project marks another milestone in our impressive bid win trajectory, and we are honored and proud to support TRSDC’s ambition to deliver a tourist destination that limits the environmental impact through the provision of zero-carbon emitting and zero-waste generating utility services.
“As the world seeks to satisfy the rising demand for affordable power and water, ACWA Power remains committed to being at the forefront of the energy transition and providing transformative solutions, including the early adoption of technologies such as distributed generation and smart grids, to deliver power and water reliably and responsibly.
“Powering the Red Sea Project and all utility services exclusively with clean, renewable energy sources is a commendable strategy, and enabling it through a public-private partnership contract underlines TRSDC’s groundbreaking approach which sets a new benchmark in sustainability and environmental stewardship.”
Mohammad Abunayyan, ACWA Power chairman.
Energy will be produced by solar panels and wind turbines to meet the initial demand of 210MW with the potential to expand in line with growth.
The package includes the world’s largest 1GWh battery storage facility, which is expected to enable the destination to remain fully off-grid and powered by renewables day and night.
The agreement also includes the development of three seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) plants designed to provide safe drinking water, a waste management center and an advanced wastewater treatment plant (STP) that is intended to allow waste to be treated in a manner that improves the ecosystem, creating new wetland habitats and complementing irrigation water for the TRSDC land nursery.
