Requirements and scenarios for high solar penetration in electricity production in Saudi Arabia -

Abstract

The newly adopted national plan “Saudi Arabia Vision 2030” aims to reduce the country’s dependence on oil and generate 9.5 GW of power from renewable energy sources. Within this context, this thesis addresses the country’s requirements for high solar penetration in electricity production through utilizing the duration and residual curve concepts as a simple method in determining the optimal energy mix in Kingdom in 2030. Different technologies of energy sources were incorporated and simulations of different renewable energy systems were carried out, covering several locations in the Kingdom. Calculations of electricity generation costs of different technologies were conducted for different deployment scenarios. Moreover, investment and opportunity costs due to the use of renewable energies were estimated; in addition to the policy changes needed for the suggested scenarios.