From bids to wins in the Saudi solar segment

Saudi Arabia

Ibrahim R. Gerges, general manager of Solar Arabia, talks to The Energy Year about deploying battery energy storage systems (BESS) at onshore and offshore production sites and the promising business prospects that are emerging from Saudi Arabia’s energy transition. Solar Arabia is a solar module manufacturer and provider of design, engineering and installation services.

How much of Solar Arabia’s business is geared towards the oil and gas sector and Saudi Aramco?
Solar Arabia has a deep relationship with Saudi Aramco and the oil and gas sector. Approximately 80% of our off-grid business is tied to Saudi Aramco. Our charge controllers and UPS [uninterruptible power supply] systems are tailored to meet the heavy-duty demands of oil and gas production sites, and we take great pride in the offshore platforms we operate, which have been our exclusive domain since 1989.
Aramco has been a critical partner. We are aligned with the IKTVA [In-Kingdom Total Value Add] programme, and Aramco gives us a platform to showcase our renewable technologies and cost-effective solutions.

What is your vision for growing in the solar market, and what opportunities do you foresee within Aramco’s offshore strategy?
Our R&D division at Solar Arabia is highly proactive in developing new technologies and sourcing clean energy solutions from across the globe. We currently provide several high-tech systems to Saudi Aramco. Another significant part of our offshore work involves collaborations with global companies.
Safety is a top priority on offshore platforms, given their limited space and the high risks involved. We provide motion sensors, X-ray technology and advanced systems for fire protection, all of which can be monitored in real time with our apps. These systems offer instant alerts in case of danger, ensuring maximum safety for the personnel on board.
In 2022, we introduced drone technology for site supervision, partnering with a US company to bring cutting-edge surveillance and monitoring capabilities to offshore and onshore projects. Drones significantly reduce the manpower required to inspect sites and lower costs as well, making them an efficient solution for safety and operational monitoring.
The offshore segment is highly specialised, and we must constantly innovate to meet ever-growing safety and efficiency demands. The opportunities, however, are enormous. Aramco continues to expand its offshore operations, and we see a bright future for Solar Arabia in this space.

Saudi Arabia is pushing to develop clean energy sources. How is Solar Arabia adapting to the evolving energy landscape?
We are embracing the shift to renewable energy sources and have introduced a new BESS line. Within the government’s push to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the gradual phase-out of diesel generators will create opportunities for clean energy solutions, and Solar Arabia is committed to leading in this sector.
We are expanding our capabilities in Riyadh with a new 3,000-square-meter facility that will house a production line for lithium batteries and BESS for the Saudi market and export. We are also negotiating with players from Korea, the US, China and Germany to bring advanced technology to Saudi Arabia.

Are you planning to enter the hydrogen sector in the future?
We are conducting negotiations with a top hydrogen company. We have visited NEOM, which is an ideal location for hydrogen projects, and we have had fruitful discussions there. Hydrogen is a part of our plans, and we will continue to evaluate our options in that space as we move forward.

What is your overall assessment of the opportunities available for renewable energy companies to do business in Saudi Arabia?
While the opportunities in Saudi Arabia are vast, there are also challenges, particularly when it comes to fairness and competition in the marketplace. A handful of companies control large portions of the renewables space, and as a contractor or subcontractor, it is sometimes difficult to secure fair terms. Streamlining costs, including payroll costs, is crucial for profitability.
We have shared our insights with the Ministry of Energy and participated in various conferences to help shape the regulatory environment. We are advocating for clearer, fairer rules to ensure equal opportunities for all players in the sector.

Having made your mark in Saudi Arabia, do you have plans to expand into other GCC markets as well?
We are already present in several GCC countries through business relationships in Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar. We also work closely with ADNOC in Abu Dhabi.
We want to go a step further and set up a representative office in Abu Dhabi to be closer to the action and closer to ADNOC, which has been an important business partner for more than 30 years. With new regulations coming into effect in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, having a local presence will be crucial.
Our logistics are currently managed from our head office in Khobar, but our expansion into Abu Dhabi will happen very quickly, and I believe Solar Arabia will soon have a firm presence there.

How do you see Solar Arabia’s business in Saudi Arabia evolving as Vision 2030 unfolds?
Vision 2030 is a transformative initiative, and Solar Arabia is in a good position to be a key player in the transformation, especially given our PV and storage solutions. As Saudi Arabia transitions towards more sustainable energy sources, we will continue to supply innovative solutions. Our business will grow as the demand for clean energy and local manufacturing grows, and we will continue to drive technological advancements and create domestic jobs.
2025 seems very promising with the opportunities we have on hand. We have 16 on-grid and off-grid projects in progress. On top of that, we have bid on more than 218 projects that are under consideration. In our sector, it can take anywhere from six months to a year to close a deal, especially when major players such as Aramco are involved. The process is lengthy but given the scale and the complexity of the projects, that’s to be expected.
With the projects we have under way, we are in a very strong position to make 2025 a year of solid growth and continued success for Solar Arabia. We are optimistic about converting bids into deals and expanding our footprint in the clean energy sector.

Read our latest insights on:

• Bahrain
• Kuwait
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE