The developer behind the 28,000 sq km Red Sea Project resort has announced that it will be fully powered by wind and solar energy, as well as the world’s largest battery.
A consortium led by Saudi Arabian firm Acwa Power will run the 1,000MW/h battery as well as designing, building and operating the project’s utilities infrastructure as part of a public-private partnership.
The battery will provide power at night, and will be able to supply power during outages caused by sandstorms.
John Pagano, the Red Sea Development Company’s (TRSDC) chief executive, said: "The size and scale of TRSDC’s battery storage facility puts this iconic regenerative tourism destination at the forefront of the global transition towards carbon neutrality. Wind and solar capacity are set to exceed coal and gas in less than five years, and we are keen to drive the pace of change.
"We have always been committed to pushing the boundaries of what it means to be sustainable, and these efforts will play a significant role in the country’s ambition to become a greener nation. By powering the destination with 100% clean and renewable energy, we will make this vision a reality."
TRSDC says that the project is on track to welcome its first guests by the end of 2022, when the Foster + Partners’ designed airport and its first four hotels will open.
The final 12 hotels for phase one of development are due to open in 2023; these will offer 3,000 rooms across five islands and two inland resorts.
The Red Sea Project aims to turn the country’s remote west coast into a global luxury tourism destination, and will contain 50 hotels when completed fully.
Image courtesy of the Red Sea Development Company
Further Reading:
- Saudi Arabia to make historic Red Sea coast new global tourism destination
- Saudi Arabia picks teams to build village for 10,000 workers on Red Sea tourism mega-scheme
- Foster + Partners to design airport for Saudi Red Sea tourism mega scheme
- Two Saudi firms to build Foster + Partners airport for huge Red Sea tourism scheme
