The new solar power plant will be built on land where the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) is currently under construction - close to Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. KAPSARC itself is the largest energy research centre in the world. The construction of KAPSARC is geared towards achieving Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
Together with Naizak Global Engineering Systems, its local project partner in Saudi Arabia, Phoenix Solar will design and build the grid-connected, ground-mounted photovoltaic plant by the end of September 2011. Phoenix Solar’s principal is M.R. Khathlan (MRK), a Saudi company which, in its capacity as general contractor, will design and build the electricity and water supply of KAPSARC.
The photovoltaic project was awarded through an international bidding procedure. Alongside Phoenix Solar’s cutting-edge competence in power plant construction and the presence of the company in the Gulf region, a determinant factor for winning the contract was the experience gathered by Phoenix Solar from the test facility.
"The solar market in the Gulf region is still in its infancy. There is, however, a huge potential for solar power plants in Saudi Arabia. We are delighted to be able to build the largest ground-mounted plant in Saudi Arabia and will use our know-how to support the introduction of renewable energies into Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region to the best of our ability", commented Klaus Friedl, General Manager of Phoenix Solar L.L.C.
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