Saudi Arabia gigaproject developer Neom, through its subsidiary Enowa, has extended the deadline for interested companies to submit their statements of qualifications (SOQs) for a contract to develop and operate the first phase of Neom's pumped hydropower storage (PHS) network. Enowa now expects to receive SOQs by the end of June, a month later than initially expected. Enowa received expressions of interest in bidding for the project from developers and contractors in January this year. The planned first phase of Neom’s PHS project, known as Nestor, will have an installed capacity of 2,200MW and a storage capacity of 23.1 gigawatt-hours, or about 11 hours It will be developed using a build-own-operate-transfer model that is expected to cover 40 years, excluding the construction period. The expected capital expenditure for the project is $2.7bn. Neom had approached developers and investors to discuss developing a PHS project that will be developed using an independent power producer (IPP) model. The overall infrastructure will entail the development of four PHS stations in Neom. The planned schemes will form the backbone of an energy storage infrastructure at the $500bn  development. The other three planned PHS projects will be located in Al Qimmah, Nima and Beach Mountain, and will have capacities of about 3,000MW, 1,000MW and 3,000MW, respectively. The UK-based HSBC and the US-based White & Case are advising the client on the scheme. The PHS IPP project will complement Neom’s planned multi-gigawatt renewable energy infrastructure, in line with its vision of being 100% powered by renewable energy by 2030. PHS is a form of clean energy storage that is ideal for electricity grids that are reliant on solar and wind power, according to the International Hydropower Association, which says: “The technology absorbs surplus energy at times of low demand and releases it when demand is high.” A PHS facility typically comprises two water reservoirs at different elevations that can generate power when water passes through a turbine and moves down or is discharged from the upper reservoir to the lower reservoir.   For registration as supplier: https://www.neom.com/en-us/our-business/suppliers (ICE RIYADH)

Fonte notizia: MEED