Emerge, a joint venture between Masdar and EDF, has signed a 20-year solar energy agreement with Misk City. The agreement involves the development and operation of a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system in northwest Riyadh.
The project will install a 621-kilowatt peak (kWp) solar system on a carport structure and other buildings in Misk City. Once operational, the system is expected to provide solar-generated electricity to the city’s facilities.
The signing took place in Riyadh. Attendees included representatives from Misk City, Emerge, and the French Embassy. Emerge will handle all project phases, including engineering, financing, construction, and long-term operations and maintenance.
Misk City is a nonprofit development initiative. It includes residential, cultural, educational, and commercial zones. The city aims to support economic diversification and urban development in Saudi Arabia, under the broader Vision 2030 plan. The solar project is part of a broader approach to integrating renewable energy in the city’s infrastructure.
Aside from the Misk City installation, there are other small-scale renewable energy projects taking place in Riyadh. One such project includes a solar-powered water pumping station with a capacity of 180 kWp, set up to serve agricultural communities outside the city. Another pilot system for street lighting in a new residential development in Riyadh’s southern zone uses a 120-kWp solar array with lithium battery storage.
There is also a 300-kWp solar carport system under development at a Riyadh-based university, intended to provide shade and generate electricity for campus use. These projects contribute to distributed generation efforts within the city and support the local grid.
In the case of the Misk City agreement, Emerge will be responsible for providing electricity under a long-term energy services contract. The electricity will be used on-site, reducing reliance on other energy sources.
