Development work will start "in the coming weeks," once the financial agreements are in place, with Saipem carrying out "the engineering, design, construction and installation of the entire project and related services," the companies said.
"We believe that the wind market in Saudi Arabia can be supported by innovative solutions for the construction of offshore wind farms, such as the Saipem technology Hexafloat, with an accelerated programme and reduced costs," said Francesco Balestrino, renewables and green technology product manager in Saipem’s Xsight division, referring to their hexagonal shaped floater announced in March.
The project will be developed under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program, a package of economic, energy and public sector goals the kingdom aims to achieve by 2030.
In a separate move, EDF Renewables and Masdar have contracted CG Power to supply the high-voltage substations for the 416MW onshore installation at Dumat Al Jandal, slated for commissioning early 2022.
Vestas will supply the turbines, while Spanish engineering firm TSK will provide the balance of plant.
