The EL SAAD Solar Plant, a 348.6 MWp photovoltaic facility located 85 kilometers east of Riyadh, has been completed and handed over by ELSEWEDY ELECTRIC for Power Transmission & Distribution, the company stated on March 8, 2026. The project has officially entered its operations and maintenance phase, marking ELSEWEDY ELECTRIC’s first utility-scale solar energy project in the Gulf region.
ELSEWEDY ELECTRIC received the Provisional Acceptance Certificate (PAC) for the project. The EL SAAD Solar Plant was developed in partnership with Jinko Power and Al Ghazala Energy Company Limited. The Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) serves as the project’s ultimate off-taker.
Accelerated Delivery Timeline
ELSEWEDY ELECTRIC compressed the original 24-month construction timeline to just 16.5 months. The company said this accelerated delivery reflects the strength of its integrated engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) capabilities. The project’s seamless integration with the high-voltage grid surpassed expectations set by partners and supervisory authorities.
EL SAAD Solar Plant Technical Specifications
Beyond the solar generation facility, ELSEWEDY ELECTRIC engineered and delivered a 33/132 kV high-voltage substation. The company also constructed a 600-meter overhead transmission line. The project incorporates advanced PV technology, inverters, power conversion systems, high-voltage interconnection infrastructure, and protection and control systems.
Key Partners and Consultants
The project benefited from the support of OCA Global as consultant. Key partners included Elsewedy Transformers, Alfanar, Siemens Energy, and Schneider Electric Saudi Arabia. These partnerships ensured quality delivery across all project phases.
“The EL SAAD project marks a defining milestone for ELSEWEDY ELECTRIC’s regional growth strategy, demonstrating exceptional engineering execution and project leadership.”
ELSEWEDY ELECTRIC for Power Transmission & Distribution
Safety Record and Local Workforce Development
The project was completed with zero injuries and no lost-time incidents. ELSEWEDY ELECTRIC said this reflects its adherence to occupational health and safety best practices. The execution also included a comprehensive vocational training program, technical workshops for local engineers, and hands-on operational training.
These workforce development initiatives support local capacity building within the Kingdom. The project aligns with Saudi Arabia’s clean energy transition goals and contributes to the broader objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Complex coordination of international procurement, customs clearance, logistics, and on-site operations in desert conditions was required throughout the project’s execution.