Saudi Arabia’s mining giant, Maaden Bauxite and Alumina Company (MBAC), has taken a decisive step toward cleaner mining operations by signing a 30-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Emerge, a joint venture between Masdar (UAE) and EDF (France). The deal will deliver solar power to the Al Baitha Bauxite Mine, showcasing how renewable energy can be integrated into large-scale, energy-intensive industries.
A Model for Mining-Driven Economies
The project combines an 8 MWp solar photovoltaic system with a 30 MWh battery energy storage facility, allowing round-the-clock clean energy supply. It is expected to generate 17,300 MWh of electricity annually and cut 13,800 tonnes of CO₂ emissions—the equivalent of taking over 3,000 cars off the road each year.
For Africa—where mining is a cornerstone of economies from Zambia to Guinea—this project highlights how solar-plus-storage solutions can drive down emissions, stabilize power supply, and reduce reliance on costly diesel generators.
Vision 2030 and Africa’s Energy Goals
The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, but its lessons resonate strongly across Africa. Many African nations—from South Africa to Ghana—are striving to green their mining sectors, both to meet climate commitments and to attract sustainability-driven investors.
By operating almost entirely on renewable energy, the Al Baitha Mine becomes one of the first in the region to prove that industrial-scale mining can be both productive and sustainable.
Turnkey Renewable Energy for Heavy Industry
Emerge will oversee the financing, design, procurement, construction, and operation of the solar and storage plant. This “plug-and-play” approach offers a replicable model for African mining companies and governments looking to decarbonize without shouldering heavy upfront capital burdens.
Voices from the Partnership
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Ali Al-Qahtani, EVP of Maaden’s aluminum business, emphasized the broader vision:
“This partnership supports our ambitions to drive renewable energy across our operations, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable solutions that benefit both our businesses and the communities we serve.”
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Abdulaziz Alobaidli, Chairman of Emerge and COO at Masdar, highlighted accessibility:
“Emerge offers businesses a seamless, cost-effective pathway to transform to renewable energy. This partnership demonstrates the value of solar-plus-storage in decarbonising industry.”
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Omar Aldaweesh, CEO KSA of EDF Group, underlined its regional significance:
“By delivering a tailored solar power and storage solution, we are paving the way for a more resilient, low-carbon future—showing that industrial ambition and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.”
Why It Matters for Africa
For African stakeholders, Maaden’s solar-powered mine is more than a milestone for Saudi Arabia—it is a case study of how mining companies can anchor renewable energy adoption. With abundant solar potential, Africa has the opportunity to replicate and even scale such projects, ensuring its mining sector is not only profitable but also climate-resilient.
From bauxite in Guinea to copper in Zambia and gold in Ghana, the continent’s resource-rich economies could follow Maaden’s example—proving that the future of mining is solar-powered.
