Saudi Arabia’s operating renewable capacity reaches 19.3 GW in 2026

Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy pipeline has reached 63.8 GW across 53 projects, as the Kingdom accelerates efforts to expand clean power capacity and meet its long-term net-zero ambitions.

According to the Saudi Arabia Renewables Tracker by the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC), the Kingdom’s cumulative operating renewable energy capacity has grown more than 63-fold since 2020, reaching 19.3 GW in 2026.

The expansion aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions to increase power generation capacity while integrating cleaner technologies. The Kingdom aims to reach between 100 GW and 130 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2060.

KAPSARC said the figures reflect “the Kingdom’s ambition and its promising future in the energy and sustainability sector,” adding that more projects are expected to be announced as Saudi Arabia accelerates progress toward its 2030 renewable energy targets.

Solar power dominates the Kingdom’s renewable energy pipeline, accounting for 81% of the tracked capacity, while wind accounts for 19%.

Around 30% of the tracked capacity has been installed, 37% is under development, and 32% is at the tendering stage.

Projects are spread across several regions, including Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah, Al-Qassim, Hail, Aseer, Jazan, the Eastern Province, Al-Jouf, Najran, and the Northern Borders.

The tracker also highlights the declining cost of renewable power. Levelized costs of energy range from 1.04 cents per kWh at Shuaibah 1 to 2.98 cents per kWh at Layla. Several large solar projects under development are priced between 1.09 and 1.36 cents per kWh, including the Najran project at 1.09 cents per kWh.

For 2026, the tracker lists eight projects totaling 7.7 GW that are expected to be commissioned during the year, with six recorded as installed.

Among the largest are the 2 GW Haden and 2 GW Muwayh solar projects, both in Makkah, as well as the 1.5 GW Khushaybi solar project in Al-Qassim.

The pipeline also includes the 600 MW Alghat wind project in Riyadh, the 500 MW Waad Al Shammal wind project in the Northern Borders, and the 400 MW Tabarjal solar project in Al-Jouf.

Two projects expected to be commissioned in 2026 remain under development: the 400 MW Henakiyah 2 solar project in Madinah and the 300 MW Rabigh 2 solar project in Makkah.

As Saudi Arabia works toward its 2030 targets, KAPSARC expects additional projects to enter the pipeline, further expanding the Kingdom’s renewable energy capacity and supporting its broader energy transition.