Nextpower Arabia, a joint venture between Saudi conglomerate Abunayyan and Nextpower (formerly Nextracker), has officially launched to accelerate the deployment of utility-scale solar power plants across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Based in Riyadh, the venture aims to support regional renewable energy goals, including Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, by diversifying the economy and enhancing local industrial capacity.
The collaboration follows an agreement signed in October 2025, combining Abunayyan’s regional experience in water and energy infrastructure with Nextpower’s expertise in solar tracking systems. Khalid Abunayyan, chairman of Abunayyan, emphasized the partnership’s role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s clean energy vision: “Making energy and water supply readily accessible, sustainable and affordable is essential to the continued economic and social development of Saudi Arabia and our partners across the region. Partnering with Nextpower, a true pioneer in the international solar energy community, strengthens our role in advancing Saudi’s clean energy vision by localising advanced manufacturing and technologies, building local capacity development and creating lasting value for generations to come.”
A new manufacturing facility in Jeddah will produce advanced solar tracker systems for large-scale projects across the MENA region. Occupying 42,000 square meters, the facility is expected to open in the second quarter of 2026 with an annual production capacity of up to 12GW. This development is projected to create up to 2,000 jobs and foster local engineering talent, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s industrialisation plans.
Turki Al-Amri, CEO of Abunayyan and chairman and CEO of Nextpower Arabia, highlighted the facility’s strategic importance: “Our manufacturing facility represents the first step in our strategic vision to strengthen and localise the solar supply chain for our partners across the MENA region and enhance collaboration to deliver highly efficient and cost-effective clean energy. By sourcing core materials such as Saudi-produced steel through our strategic partners and manufacturing locally, we are supporting economic diversification and industrial growth that is at the foundation of Saudi Vision 2030.”
Nextpower’s global track record includes over 150GW of solar trackers installed, with significant projects in the MENA region, such as Phase V of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in the UAE. The JV will play a vital role in increasing the share of renewables in Saudi Arabia’s energy mix, with an investment of around $88m (SR330m) over two years to develop manufacturing capabilities and technical expertise. This aligns with regional projections from the Middle East Solar Industry Association, which forecasts solar capacity will surpass 180GW by 2030 due to cost competitiveness and production efficiency improvements.
The establishment of Nextpower Arabia signals a significant shift in the regional renewable energy landscape, potentially accelerating the adoption of solar power and fostering local industrial growth. As the venture progresses, it could set a precedent for similar collaborations, further integrating advanced solar technologies into the MENA region’s energy infrastructure.