Image: Shanghai Electric
Chinese engineering giant Shanghai Electric has partnered with Masdar, the UAE’s leading clean energy developer, to construct a landmark 2GW solar project in Saudi Arabia as part of the country’s National Renewable Energy Program (NREP). The project, named Sadawi, represents the largest photovoltaic EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) contract ever undertaken by Shanghai Electric.
Located in eastern Saudi Arabia, the Sadawi project will span approximately 40 square kilometers—equivalent to the size of around 5,700 standard football fields.
“This is a new starting point for Shanghai Electric and Masdar to carry out comprehensive cooperation and an important milestone for Shanghai Electric to further establish itself in the Middle East’s new energy market,” said Wu Lei, Chairman of Shanghai Electric. “I hope both parties will work together to create a benchmark demonstration project and contribute more to the global energy transition.”
While specific technology details have not yet been disclosed, Shanghai Electric has confirmed the use of advanced photovoltaic technologies to maximize efficiency and output.
The Sadawi project was awarded to Shanghai Electric in November 2024 during the fifth round of tenders under Saudi Arabia’s NREP. The program is a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to transform the nation’s energy mix and stimulate sustainable economic growth. Once completed, the facility is expected to generate over 6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to power more than 700,000 households. It will also help reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 3 million tonnes per year, contributing significantly to Saudi Arabia’s energy diversification and climate goals under Vision 2030.
Masdar, one of the Middle East’s largest clean energy developers, has built a strong global presence, with renewable energy projects across more than 40 countries on six continents. Its total installed capacity has reached 51GW, with plans to expand that figure to over 100GW worldwide by 2030.
This collaboration underscores the accelerating momentum behind Saudi Arabia’s clean energy ambitions and highlights the growing role of international partnerships in shaping a sustainable energy future.
