Abunayyan Holding, Nextpower Form JV to Localise Solar Tracker Manufacturing in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia-based Abunayyan Holding and US solar technology firm Nextpower, formerly Nextracker, have completed the incorporation of their joint venture, Nextpower Arabia, headquartered in Riyadh.

The venture aims to accelerate the deployment of utility-scale solar projects across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), aligning with regional net-zero targets and Saudi Vision 2030.

As part of the joint venture, the partners announced the development of a new advanced manufacturing facility in Jeddah, which will produce solar tracking systems, yield management solutions, and control technologies for large-scale solar installations across the region.

The facility, currently under construction on a 42,000-square-metre site, is expected to commence operations in Q2 2026. Once operational, it will enable localized manufacturing and supply chain capacity of up to 12 GW annually, while supporting the creation of up to 2,000 jobs, including approximately 600 direct manufacturing roles.

Khalid Abunayyan, Chairman of Abunayyan Holding, said the partnership strengthens the company’s role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s clean energy ambitions through localized manufacturing, technology transfer, and capacity building. He added that sustainable and affordable access to energy and water remains central to the group’s long-term vision for regional development.

Dan Shugar, Founder and CEO of Nextpower, said Saudi Arabia represents a strategic growth market for the company as it expands its footprint across the Middle East. He noted that the collaboration combines Nextpower’s solar tracking expertise with Abunayyan Holding’s deep regional experience to deliver value for large-scale renewable projects.

Turki Al-Amri, CEO of Abunayyan Holding and Chairman and CEO of Nextpower Arabia, said the manufacturing facility marks the first step in localizing the solar supply chain in the Kingdom. He highlighted that sourcing materials such as Saudi-produced steel and manufacturing domestically would support industrial growth and economic diversification under Vision 2030.

Nextpower brings a global portfolio of more than 150 GW of solar trackers either operational or under fulfilment across over 45 countries, including more than 6 GW in the Middle East and Africa. In Saudi Arabia alone, the company has supported several landmark projects, including the 405 MWp Sakaka Solar Park, the Kingdom’s first utility-scale solar project, along with the Sudair, Al Kahfah, and Tabarjal projects.

The joint venture is positioned to support Saudi Arabia’s National Renewable Energy Program, which targets a significant increase in the share of renewables in the country’s energy mix by 2030. Local manufacturing is also expected to help reduce clean energy costs while strengthening export capabilities.

According to the Middle East Solar Industry Association’s 2025 Solar Outlook Report, regional solar capacity is projected to exceed 180 GW by 2030, driven by falling costs, improved efficiencies, and government-backed clean energy policies.

To support the venture’s growth, Abunayyan Holding and Nextpower plan to invest approximately USD 88 million (around SAR 330 million) over the next two years through a mix of equity and public and private debt, funding the manufacturing facility and development of skilled engineering capabilities.