ACWA Power and Bapco Energies have formally signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) for a new large-scale solar power plant in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The facility will be integrated with advanced battery energy storage technology.

The agreement was officially announced during the Saudi–Bahraini Coordination Council meeting held in December 2025.

The JDA commits the two energy firms to jointly developing a solar generation capacity of up to 2.8 gigawatts, to be rolled out across several phases. Crucially, all the electricity produced by the plant will be transmitted to the load centre of Bapco Energies located in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

This transmission will directly support Bahrain’s national energy requirements. It will also expedite the Kingdom’s transition towards renewable energy sources. The project is expected to strengthen Bahrain’s position in the energy sector, allowing it to become an energy export hub and help other nations meet their emissions-reduction targets.

Raad Al Saady, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of ACWA Power, commented on the strategic importance of the collaboration. “This joint agreement with Bapco Energies is a testament to the strong bilateral ties between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and our shared commitment to a sustainable and secure energy future. The project aligns not only with Vision 2030 but also with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 and its national ambitions to expand clean energy and accelerate its net-zero pathway. We take this opportunity to extend our sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Energy in Saudi Arabia for its continued guidance. ACWA Power is proud to help advance a project that strengthens regional energy security and accelerates the shift to renewable power.”

Mr Mark Thomas, Group CEO of Bapco Energies, welcomed the development. He stated: “This agreement marks another important milestone in our journey towards energy diversification and regional collaboration. By working alongside ACWA Power, Bapco Energies is taking a bold step to ensure long-term energy security for the Kingdom of Bahrain while unlocking the power of renewables.”

The project supports Bapco Energies’ commitment to the Bahrain National Energy Strategy. The strategy focuses on improving energy demand efficiency, diversifying the national energy mix, and ensuring secure access to competitive energy. The JDA enhances energy partnerships across the GCC by supporting cross-border clean energy flow. For ACWA Power, the initiative expands its worldwide portfolio of renewable energy assets and confirms its leadership in the energy transition across the region and globally.