By: ME construction news

Maaden Bauxite and Alumina Company (MBAC), a subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden), has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Emerge, the joint venture (JV) between Masdar and EDF power solutions. Under this deal, Emerge will develop a solar power project to supply the Al Baitha Bauxite Mine with clean, renewable energy for the next 30 years.

The off-grid energy facility will integrate a ground-mounted 8MWp solar photovoltaic array with a 30MWh battery energy storage system backing up the intermittency of the solar production. This arrangement will secure a 24/7 electricity supply.

The facility is expected to generate approximately 17,300MWh of electricity annually. The project will help avoid around 13,800t of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions per year, equivalent to removing more than 3,000 cars from the road annually. With this facility, the Al Baitha Bauxite Mine will be able to operate almost entirely on renewable energy, marking a major step toward sustainable mining operations.

This initiative supports Saudi Arabia’s energy transition and aligns with the goals of Vision 2030 by reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable industrial growth, it stated.

Ali Al Qahtani, Executive Vice-President of Maaden’s aluminum business said, “This partnership supports our ambitions to drive renewable energy across our operations, as well as reinforcing our committment to advancing sustainable solutions that benefit both our businesses and the communities we serve. We look forward to working with Emerge to deliver this integral pillar of our operations.”

Abdulaziz Alobaidli, Chairman of Emerge and Chief Operating Officer at Masdar added, “Emerge offers businesses a seamless, cost-effective pathway to transform to renewable energy. This partnership demonstrates the value Emerge brings to industries looking to decarbonise and optimise their energy usage.”

As per the deal, Emerge will deliver a full turnkey solution for the project, managing all aspects, including financing, design, procurement, construction, operation, and maintenance.