World’s largest solar process steam plant to be built in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabian Mining Company (MA’ADEN) and GlassPoint, a U.S.-based solar energy provider, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop the world’s largest solar process heat plant at MA’ADEN’s Alumina refinery.

When complete, the 1,500 MW solar steam facility will help MA’ADEN achieve sustainability goals by reducing carbon emissions by over 600,000 tons annually. This represents more than 50% reduction of carbon footprint in MA’ADEN’s Alumina refinery and 4% of MA’ADEN’s overall carbon footprint without disrupting existing operations.

The proposed new facility, a solar thermal plant known as MA’ADEN Solar 1, will be located in Ras al Khair, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and will harness the power of the sun to produce steam.

As a part of the agreement, MA’ADEN and GlassPoint will work together to develop a more sustainable way to produce aluminum, which is a crucial metal for many global industries and the energy transition. This MOU also represents GlassPoint’s reemergence as a leader in solar process heat.

“The steam will be used to refine bauxite ore into alumina. Alumina is a critical feedstock to Aluminium, which is one of the world’s most crucial metals for many global industries going into a future that is focused on environment and sustainability,” said Riyadh Al Nassar, SVP Aluminium SBU of MA’ADEN.

“This significant development will dramatically reduce our carbon footprint and bring us closer to our mandate of carbon neutrality by 2050. As the world moves towards green aluminum, MA’ADEN intends to help lead the way in this transition,” stated Robert Wilt, CEO of MA’ADEN.

World’s largest solar process steam plant to be built in Saudi Arabia
Source: Global Access News