Red Sea Powered by World's Largest Off-Grid Solar System

A consortium led by ACWA Power has reached the Project Commercial Operation Date for a renewable-powered utilities system serving The Red Sea tourism destination, achieved on 6 September 2026. The system now fully powers the destination without any connection to the national grid, making it the world's largest off-grid renewable utilities system.

The project combines a 340 MWac solar photovoltaic plant with a battery energy storage system of 1,227 MWh — described as the largest off-grid battery facility built anywhere. Together the system delivers up to 760,000 MWh of clean energy 000 tons of carbon dioxide annually when running at full capacity.

The clean energy supplies power to all currently operational hotels, the Red Sea International Airport, the logistics hub, an electric vehicle fleet, the staff village, and community facilities. Beyond electricity, the concession covers a full range of utilities: seawater reverse osmosis desalination producing around 32,500 cubic metres of potable water wastewater treatment through constructed wetlands and MBBR facilities, district cooling of roughly 32,500 refrigeration tons, and integrated solid waste management handling about 11,500 tons Backup generation of around 112.5 MW is integrated within the captive system while keeping a renewables-led profile.

The utilities are delivered under a single long-term concession contract running for 25 years from commercial operations. The project value is reported at around US$1.8 billion.

For residents and visitors, the milestone signals that a major new Saudi tourism destination can operate entirely on clean, locally generated energy — a practical example of the sustainability goals set out in رؤية السعودية 2030 and a model for future developments across the Kingdom.

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