Rabigh 2 Solar Independent Power Project (IPP), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Project summary

The Rabigh 2 Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Independent Power Project (IPP) involves the construction and operation of a utility-scale solar power plant with a generation capacity of approximately 300 MW, equivalent to the energy required to power 110,000 homes. The project will use advanced solar technologies, including single-axis trackers and high-efficiency PV modules, to optimise energy output and system performance. Designed to supply clean, renewable electricity to the national grid, the project will contribute to Saudi Arabia’s broader transition toward sustainable energy, in alignment with its Vision 2030 goals.

Spanning approximately 668 hectares, the site was strategically selected for its high solar irradiance, proximity to grid infrastructure and relatively low environmental sensitivity. The plant is expected to deliver an impressive yield of ~2300 kWh per year over an operational life of 25 years.

The background

In support of its Vision 2030 strategy, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has set an ambitious target to generate 50% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030. To help achieve this, the Renewable Energy Project Development Office, under the Ministry of Energy, awarded Reem Rabigh Energy Company the 300 MW Rabigh 2 solar project, one of the flagship projects under this programme.

Reem Rabigh Energy Company is a consortium comprising Aljomaih Energy and Water Company and TotalEnergies, and this project forms part of a design, build, own and operate agreement under the kingdom’s renewable energy development framework. As part of the development process, the consortium engaged RSK to deliver key environmental and social due diligence services, including:

• a national-level environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA), prepared in line with Saudi regulations, for submission to the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) to obtain the environmental permit to construct
• an international-level ESIA, developed in accordance with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards, for submission to financial institutions to facilitate project financing.

As the project is financed by institutions that are signatories to the Equator Principles (EP), the environmental and social impact assessment was designed to ensure full compliance with the International Finance Corporation Performance Standards, World Bank Group environmental, health and safety (EHS) guidelines and applicable national environmental legislation.

To deliver a comprehensive outcome, RSK adopted a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together expertise from across the organisation. This included close collaboration among the RSK Middle East team, RSK Acoustics and the RSK International Projects Group team. Through coordination and integration of specialist inputs, the teams collectively delivered an environmental and social impact assessment that met the stringent requirements of both regulatory authorities and financial institutions.

The challenges

• Conducting site visits to remote and unfamiliar project locations, which posed logistical and coordination difficulties.
• Compressed timelines for the delivery of key project milestones and documentation.

The solutions

• Leveraging effective communication channels enabled constant coordination among the core project team, the client’s site-based personnel and other stakeholders.
• Application of efficient project management strategies optimised resource allocation and ensured timely delivery of project outputs despite tight deadlines.

The impact

RSK played a pivotal role in supporting the client to achieve two critical milestones: securing the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) permit to construct and obtaining approval from project lenders. Both approvals were granted without any requests for revision or comments, reflecting the high quality and compliance of the submitted documentation.

As a utility-scale solar power project, the development will contribute significantly to the transition towards clean and sustainable energy. It supports national and global climate goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. Additionally, the project is expected to generate local employment opportunities, stimulate economic activity and enhance energy security, all while minimising environmental impacts through careful planning and adherence to best practices.