Saudi Arabia ‘breaks low-price record’ with 1.5GW wind farm – Wind Power Monthly

Report on Saudi Arabia’s 1.5GW Wind Farm Project

Project Overview and Significance

A power agreement has been awarded in Saudi Arabia for the development of a new wind farm. This initiative marks a significant step in the nation’s energy transition strategy. Key details of the project include:

• Generation Capacity: The facility is designed to have a total power output of 1.5 gigawatts (GW).
• Economic Milestone: The tender was secured at a new global record for the lowest price ever awarded for wind-generated power, highlighting the increasing economic competitiveness of renewable energy.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This project directly supports and advances several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), positioning the development as a key contributor to global sustainability targets.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

The wind farm is a direct contribution to ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

1. Increasing Renewable Energy Share: The 1.5GW capacity will substantially increase the proportion of renewable energy in the national energy mix, directly addressing SDG target 7.2.
2. Ensuring Affordability: By achieving a record-low cost, the project demonstrates the financial viability of clean energy, making it more affordable and accessible.

SDG 13: Climate Action

The initiative represents a tangible action to combat climate change and its impacts.

• Greenhouse Gas Reduction: The clean energy generated will displace fossil fuel-based power, leading to a significant reduction in national greenhouse gas emissions.
• Strengthening Climate Resilience: Investing in diverse and clean energy sources strengthens the resilience of the national energy infrastructure against climate-related disruptions.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The project involves building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation.

• Sustainable Infrastructure: The wind farm is a large-scale, sustainable infrastructure project that promotes clean and environmentally sound technologies.
• Technological Advancement: The record-low price point signals significant innovation in wind power technology, supply chains, and project financing, aligning with the goal of upgrading infrastructure for sustainability.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The development is expected to stimulate economic activity and job creation.

1. Economic Diversification: The project supports the diversification of the economy away from a reliance on hydrocarbons and toward a green economy.
2. Job Creation: The construction, maintenance, and operation phases of the wind farm will create new employment opportunities in the renewable energy sector.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   • SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: This is the most directly relevant SDG. The article focuses on a “1.5GW wind farm,” which is a form of clean energy, and explicitly mentions affordability by stating it “achieves a new record for lowest price ever awarded for wind.”
   • SDG 13: Climate Action: The development of a large-scale wind farm is a significant measure to combat climate change by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions, directly aligning with the goals of climate action.
   • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The construction of a 1.5GW wind farm represents a major investment in building resilient and sustainable infrastructure. It involves innovative, clean technology to upgrade the country’s energy industry.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article’s subject, a new “1.5GW wind farm,” is a direct contribution to increasing the proportion of renewable energy in Saudi Arabia’s national energy portfolio.
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The government action of “awarding a power deal” for a massive renewable energy project demonstrates the integration of climate mitigation strategies into national development and energy planning.
   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies. The wind farm is a prime example of adopting a “clean and environmentally sound technology” to upgrade national energy infrastructure.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   • Indicator related to Target 7.2 (Renewable energy share): The article provides a specific metric of “1.5GW” of new wind power capacity. This figure is a direct input for calculating Indicator 7.2.1 (Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption).
   • Indicator related to Target 7.1 (Affordable energy): The statement that the deal “achieves a new record for lowest price ever awarded for wind” is a qualitative indicator of progress towards ensuring affordable energy. It implies a reduction in the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), a key metric for energy affordability.
   • Indicator related to Target 9.4 (Investment in clean infrastructure): The “power deal” itself serves as an indicator of financial investment and commitment towards developing sustainable and clean technology infrastructure. The scale of the “1.5GW” project quantifies the magnitude of this investment.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy	7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.	Installed renewable energy capacity (Implied by “1.5GW wind farm”). Cost of energy (Implied by “record for lowest price”).
   SDG 13: Climate Action	13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.	Implementation of national climate change strategies (Implied by the government “awarding a power deal” for a renewable project).
   SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure	9.4: Upgrade infrastructure… with greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.	Investment in sustainable infrastructure and clean technology (Implied by the “power deal for a 1.5GW wind farm”).

Source: windpowermonthly.com