Solar energy export prospects of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

High energy utilization per capita and the country's gross domestic product (GDP) dependence on oil exports are the major problems of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Abundant solar energy resources available in the country can help KSA to diversify its GDP. In this work, the photovoltaic (PV) energy outputs of KSA are compared with the potential PV energy customer such as European Countries, China, India, and Pakistan based on the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and the net present cost (NPC). The PV energy is analyzed by a 4 GW grid connected PV system placed in the capital of each country. The grid sale price of PV energy is taken as half of the grid purchase energy price for each respective country. The high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission of solar energy generated by the 4 GW PV system in KSA exported to potential customers is analyzed based on the NPC, LCOE, and payback period. Gwadar (Pakistan), (Antalya) Turkey, Karachi (Pakistan), and Ahmedabad (India) are economically feasible options with an LCOE of 5.2 ¢/kWh, 5.5 ¢/kWh, 6.2 ¢/kWh, and 7.5 ¢/kWh, respectively. The European countries are infeasible for PV energy export from KSA based on their load curves and NPC. The megacity of Karachi can be the first customer of KSA solar energy transmitted by HVDC.