Ambitious Saudi Arabian Tourist Project Relies on MAN Biofuel Engines

MAN Energy Solutions will supply 25 biofuel-optimized gensets with a total generating capacity of 112 MW to “The Red Sea Project”. The ambitious, regenerative tourist project – planned for Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast north of the city of Umluj – stretches over 200 km of coastline and an archipelago of more than 90 natural islands. The 28,000 km2 area will eventually include a total of 50 resorts spanning 22 islands and inland locations, and an international airport. The project builds upon a sustainable infrastructure with a green energy supply including independence from the national grid, water treatment and waste recycling.

The giga-project will be powered by solar power plants combined with battery storage backed up by MAN GenSets at six locations. The scope of the order covers 4 × MAN 18V51/60, 19 × MAN 9L21/31S and 2 × MAN 6L21/31S GenSets with each engine optimized for use with climate-neutral B100 biofuel. The comprehensive clean energy supply infrastructure is developed by a consortium led by ACWA Power, a Saudi Arabian developer, investor and operator of desalinated water, power generation and green hydrogen plants.

Significant component of Saudi Vision 2030

“The Red Sea Project is a spectacular undertaking that will open up the region for sustainable tourism. As part of the Saudi Vision 2030 endeavour, it has significance for the future economic development of the entire country and a high profile in the region. We are honored to support this important project with our power plant engines”, said Wayne Jones OBE, Chief Sales Officer at MAN Energy Solutions.

Launched in 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Vision 2030 is a blueprint for reducing Saudi Arabia's dependence on oil exports and is focused on economic diversification and an expansion of the private service sector, alongside improving the opportunities available to and quality of life for Saudi people. The Red Sea Project represents the awakening and expansion of the Saudi Arabian tourism sector and is being supported by the Saudi Arabian government as a lighthouse project.

The first phase of the project is scheduled to conclude at the end of 2023 with the opening of 16 hotels, while the international airport is set to also start operations in 2023. By 2030, the destination will include 50 hotel resorts totaling more than 8,000 hotel rooms and 1,000 residential properties.

“An environmentally-friendly energy supply also needs to be safe and reliable. Even if solar energy is not available, the power supply can still be completely climate-neutral thanks to our engines which ensure a safe back-up,” said Ghassan Saab, Head of Power Plants, MEA region at MAN Energy Solutions. “The six power plants will provide highly flexible load-support without additionally impacting the climate. With this setup, the resort can offer its guests sustainable recreation with a guilt-free conscience while guaranteeing the power supply.”