Nextpower Arabia to Supply 2.25 GW of Advanced Solar Trackers for ACWA Power’s Bisha Project
Nextpower Arabia, the newly established joint venture between Nextpower (Nasdaq: NXT, formerly Nextracker) and Abunayyan Holding, has officially announced that it will supply 2.25 gigawatts-peak (GWp) of cutting-edge solar tracking systems to Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for the Bisha Solar project. This utility-scale plant, one of the largest in Saudi Arabia, is being developed by a consortium led by ACWA Power and forms a central component of the Kingdom’s Wave 6 initiative under the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP), overseen by the Ministry of Energy. The Bisha project is notable not only for its scale but also for its contribution to Saudi Arabia’s broader energy transition and decarbonization objectives.
Located in the Asir Province, the Bisha Solar project is the largest project in the Wave 6 portfolio. It represents a significant step forward for the Kingdom’s strategy to diversify its energy mix and increase the share of renewable energy in its national grid. With a total capacity of 2.25 GWp, the project will supply clean, reliable, and cost-effective electricity, further cementing Saudi Arabia’s position as a leader in large-scale solar deployment in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This order also marks the first major project to be executed by Nextpower Arabia since the joint venture became fully operational, signaling the company’s entry into the region’s rapidly growing renewable energy sector.
Local Manufacturing and Supply Chain Strengthening
Nextpower Arabia brings a localized approach to sales, manufacturing, delivery, and supply chain management. This strategy is designed to optimize the deployment of utility-scale solar power plants while simultaneously fostering industrial development and creating workforce opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region. By localizing production, the joint venture reduces the reliance on imported equipment, shortens delivery timelines, and enhances operational efficiency, providing measurable cost savings for project developers and stakeholders.
Bharathi Kumar, General Manager for Renewable International at L&T, emphasized the strategic importance of localizing production: “We have tremendous confidence in Nextpower Arabia to provide the most advanced utility-grade solar solutions. Their systems will help us deliver maximum performance and low-cost clean energy through the new Bisha Solar Plant for decades to come. Localizing the production of these tracking systems, which form the foundation of the Bisha plant, will deliver greater efficiencies throughout the development process while reducing the costs and environmental impact associated with international shipping.”
Strategic Importance for the MENA Region
Dan Shugar, founder and CEO of Nextpower, highlighted the significance of the MENA region for the company: “The MENA region is a top strategic priority for Nextpower. This project builds on our longstanding partnerships with ACWA Power and L&T and marks an important milestone for our joint venture with Abunayyan Holding. Through Nextpower Arabia, we are localizing the industry’s most resilient and intelligent solar plant technologies, engineered specifically to withstand the region’s demanding conditions. At the same time, we are strengthening the local supply chain to support Saudi Arabia’s long-term energy transition goals.”
The deployment of Nextpower Arabia’s solar trackers is expected to enhance energy yield, optimize plant performance, and ensure reliable operations under the extreme temperature and environmental conditions characteristic of the Asir Province. The project will integrate advanced tracking technologies, including intelligent software and engineering designs optimized for local solar irradiance patterns, which will maximize energy output and improve overall plant efficiency.
Leadership Perspectives and National Industrial Strategy
Turki Al-Amri, Chairman and CEO of Nextpower Arabia and CEO of Abunayyan Holding, emphasized the national and regional impact of the Bisha Solar project: “The Bisha project will significantly contribute to the Kingdom’s renewable energy objectives and broader regional energy transformation goals. By manufacturing and producing Nextpower Arabia systems locally, we can deliver substantial benefits to our development partners while advancing Saudi Arabia’s national industrialization strategy. This project demonstrates how private-public collaboration and strategic localization can accelerate the country’s clean energy ambitions.”
The Bisha Solar project is part of a wider initiative by ACWA Power, in collaboration with the Water and Electricity Holding Company (Badeel) and Saudi Aramco Power Company (SAPCO). Earlier this year, the consortium announced a total investment of $8.3 billion to develop seven large-scale renewable energy plants, collectively expected to add approximately 15 GW of new renewable capacity to Saudi Arabia’s electricity grid. These projects reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions targets while supporting sustainable economic development.
Nextpower Arabia’s Track Record and Regional Expertise
Nextpower has an extensive history in utility-scale solar projects across the MENA region, beginning with the 405 MW Sakaka Solar Park in Saudi Arabia in 2018. Since then, the company has supplied over 6 GW of solar tracking systems across multiple large-scale projects, solidifying its reputation as a leader in advanced solar technology. With Nextpower Arabia, the company is extending this expertise by combining Nextpower’s technological leadership with Abunayyan Holding’s strong regional presence and operational capabilities, creating a joint venture uniquely equipped to meet the demands of the rapidly expanding renewable energy market.
The collaboration between Nextpower Arabia, L&T, and ACWA Power demonstrates the potential for strategic partnerships to accelerate the deployment of solar energy at scale. By integrating advanced solar tracking technologies, leveraging local manufacturing capabilities, and optimizing project execution, the Bisha Solar project will set a new benchmark for renewable energy development in Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region.
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