Almarai announces completion of 15MW Al Kharj Solar Project
Firm plans to increase solar PV installations across the MENA region by the end of 2020
Almarai has announced that it has completed its Al Kharj Solar Project. The $11.8m project is said to be the largest ground mount solar photovoltaic (PV) installation operating in the Kingdom.
This project features 15MW of installed capacity and comprises over 44,000 solar panels. According to Almarai, the plant can produce 28GW hours of renewable energy per year and will offset 8,100 tonnes of CO2 each year. This is said to be equivalent to planting more than 8,000 trees.
Almarai says that greenhouse gas emissions associated with fuel and electricity consumption and rising energy costs, have an impact on the environment as well as its bottom line.
The firm notes that it has developed an Energy Roadmap that defines how it will improve its energy performance through efficient energy consumption, and a movement towards energy generation from sustainable sources. The firm points out that the key to delivering on its goal is a portfolio of solar power generation projects.
According to a statement, by the end of 2020 Almarai aims to increase its solar PV installations across the MENA region, with the aim of increasing its solar power generation capacity to 10% of its total electricity consumption.
