Red Sea Global (RSG), the multi-project developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, Amaala and The Red Sea, has entered into a 25-year concession agreement with the French multinational electric utility company EDF (Électricité de France) and leading clean energy company Masdar on a multi-utilities infrastructure facility to service the Amaala destination.
Like its sister destination, The Red Sea, Amaala will be powered entirely by solar energy, saving the equivalent of nearly half a million tons of CO2 emissions every year. The new facility consists of an optimized off-grid renewable energy system, which generates energy from photovoltaic technology, and a battery energy storage solution that enables 24/7 power, plus a desalination plant and wastewater treatment plant, both powered by renewables.
“Sustainability is a cornerstone of Amaala, and our new partnership with EDF and Masdar will drive us towards achieving a zero-carbon footprint once fully operational. The project follows the template for success provided by The Red Sea, where we recently completed the build of five solar farms, procuring a destination-wide utility system that enables us to operate with no connection to the national grid,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global.
Amaala’s renewable supply system has the capacity to generate up to 410,000 MWh per annum – enough to power 10,000 households for an entire year. The system includes a 700 MWh battery storage facility, which ensures Amaala will be powered by renewables, day and night. There will also be a water desalination plant that uses reverse osmosis technology and has a capacity of 37 million liters of water per day.
The contract was procured in the model of an independent public-private partnership (PPP), covering the design, construction and operation of the systems providing utilities, accompanied by the associated networks and infrastructure.
Béatrice Buffon, Group Executive Vice-President in charge of EDF’s International Division, said: “With more than 90% of its electricity production decarbonized, the EDF group is pursuing its ambition to contribute to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Our objective is to continue to be a key player in the development of innovative, fully resilient and net-zero electrical systems. Together with Masdar, we are thrilled to take part in Red Sea Global’s Amaala project, a large scale off-grid system delivering carbon-free electricity and water 24/7. This project will set new standards of execution and operation for EDF and the Kingdom.”
The full announcement with more details on the project can be found on the Red Sea Global website.