Saudi Arabia Building 12 GW Solar Factory, 2,000 Jobs

A giant leap forward for clean energy is taking shape in Saudi Arabia, where a groundbreaking solar factory promises to transform the region's renewable future while creating thousands of jobs.

NextPower and Abunayyan Holding have joined forces to build a 12 gigawatt solar tracker manufacturing plant in Jeddah. The facility, sprawling across a 42,000 square meter site, is already under construction and will employ up to 2,000 people when it opens in spring 2026.

Solar trackers are the movable structures that help solar panels follow the sun throughout the day, capturing more energy than fixed panels. This technology can boost solar energy collection by up to 25%, making renewable power more efficient and cost-effective.

The joint venture, called NextPower Arabia, will be headquartered in Riyadh and serve projects across Saudi Arabia and the entire Middle East and North Africa region. The company plans to source materials locally, including Saudi-produced steel, strengthening the domestic supply chain and keeping more economic benefits in the region.

Abunayyan Holding brings decades of experience operating critical water and energy infrastructure throughout the Middle East. NextPower contributes cutting-edge tracking technology and performance management systems designed for large-scale solar projects in hot, challenging desert environments.

The Ripple Effect

This factory represents more than just manufacturing capacity. It signals Saudi Arabia's serious commitment to diversifying its economy beyond oil while addressing climate change.

The 2,000 jobs will span engineering, manufacturing, installation, and technical support roles. Many workers will gain specialized skills in renewable energy technology, building expertise that can power careers for decades to come.

Local manufacturing also means faster project deployment across the region. Solar farms won't need to wait months for imported equipment, accelerating the Middle East's transition to clean energy.

Saudi Arabia already has solar manufacturing momentum. Spanish company PVH opened a factory there in 2020, expanded it to 8 gigawatts in 2022, and earned Saudi Arabia's Local Content Certification in 2023, proving the model works.

When NextPower Arabia's facility comes online, it will be among the world's largest solar tracker plants, giving the region homegrown capacity to meet its ambitious renewable energy goals.

The future of Middle Eastern energy is being built right now, one solar tracker at a time.