The Saudi Power Procurement Company, the kingdom’s principal buyer, has prequalified 13 leading utility project developers for the third round of Conventional Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects based on Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) technology.
The qualification process, launched in July 2026 under the supervision of the Ministry of Energy, is part of Saudi Arabia’s programme to develop new gas-fired power generation capacity through private-sector investment.
The third-round projects will be developed under the Build-Own-Operate (BOO) model. Qualified applicants will be eligible to participate in the subsequent competitive procurement process for the projects.
The qualified applicants comprise leading Saudi and international energy developers, utilities and infrastructure companies.
The list includes global utility majors EDF, Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco), Mitsubishi and Sumitomo as well as PowerChina in addition to regional heavyweights Saudi utility developer Acwa Power; Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa); Saudi Energy and Nesma Renewable Energy Company.
The others regional bidders are Al Bawani Capital Company; Al Jomaih Energy and Water, Marafiq and Etihad Development Company.
According to the qualification list, several companies have been qualified as both Financial Members and Technical Members, while others have qualified as Financial Members.
The scope of work includes development of natural gas-fired CCGT power plants and its operation and maintenance. It involves project financing; engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) as well as ownership of the project through a dedicated Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
SPPC is responsible for preparing preliminary studies, conducting the competitive procurement process, awarding IPP projects and purchasing electricity generated by privately developed power plants in the Kingdom.
According to SPPC, the third round follows its first two conventional IPP procurement rounds.
The Round 1 comprised the Taiba 1, Taiba 2, Qassim 1 and Qassim 2 projects, while Round 2 included Rumah 1, Rumah 2, Nairyah 1 and Nairyah 2. Each project has a planned generation capacity of approximately 1,800 MW, representing a combined 14.4 GW across the two rounds, said SPPC in a statement.
The programme forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader power-sector transformation, aimed at increasing reliable generation capacity, attracting private investment and supporting the Kingdom’s long-term energy strategy, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
