Desert Technologies Investment Company and AlJomaih and Shell Lubricating Oil Company Limited (JOSLOC) inaugurated photovoltaic plant with a production capacity of 500KW at AlJomaih and Shell Factory in Riyadh.

Nayef Al Ghurair, Director, Second Industrial City, Riyadh; Mishaal Al Khalawi, Director, Licensing Division, Eng. Yamen Alakel, Head of EPC Department, DTIC; Saher Hashem CEO, JOSLOC and Eng. Hisham Al Tabbaa, General Manager of Supply Chains were present on the occasion.

The project, which is the first solar power plant implemented by AlJomaih Holding Group in one of its projects in Saudi Arabia, was implemented on an area of ​​3,500 sq mts, is located in the second industrial area in Riyadh as well as the car parking shades of the factory.

1276 solar panels were installed from the Desert Technologies industries factory, this is within the framework of the strategic plan pursued by AlJomaih Holding Group aiming to expand the use of clean energy in all of its projects, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.

These plans allowed citizens and large consumers to build solar power plants with capacities greater than 2 megawatts inside their facilities and homes, to expand the use of solar energy at the commercial and residential levels.

Nayef Al Ghurair said: “The Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (Modon) is working to support factories to move towards solar energy, as it is one of the strategic sectors with added value to the national economy, based on its pivotal role to achieve the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030."

DTIC CEO Khaled Sharbatly said: “The rooftop solar plant market has witnessed a major transformation recently, and the rooftop solar plant model has emerged as one of the most sustainable and dependable solar generation models.

"I personally commend the initiative of AlJomaih and Shell Lubricating oil company Limited (JOSLOC) to implement solar energy projects through its facilities.”

Saher Hashem said: "The new solar energy project has proven that AlJomaih and Shell is moving towards expanding solar energy solutions, which contributes to preserving the environment by reducing harmful carbon dioxide emissions and promoting a green economy.

"This is in line with the Kingdom’s orientations and the goals of Vision 2030 aimed at enabling the renewable energy sector to effectively contribute to the national energy mix."

He added that the plant is expected to cover more than 70% of the facility’s energy needs in its first phase and will expand to provide 100% of the plant’s needs in the future.

The project will enhance the company’s progress and commitment to achieve its strategy aimed at expanding the use of clean energy in all of its projects.

In the future, it will form part of a larger partnership that brings together JOSLOC and Desert Technologies, as strategic partners to implement their experience in all of the company’s projects.