Saudi Arabia-based Almarai, a global specialist in food and beverage manufacturing and distribution, has completed its Al Kharj Solar Project, making it the largest ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) installation operating in the kingdom.

The  SR44.4 million ($11.8 million) project incorporates 15 megawatts (MW) of installed capacity, comprising more than 44,000 solar panels capable of producing 28 gigawatt hours (GWh) of clean renewable energy per year.

During operation, the Almarai Al Kharj Solar Project will offset 8,100 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, equivalent to planting more than 8,000 trees.

By the end of 2020, Almarai aims to increase its solar PV installations constructed across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, such that approximately 10 per cent of its total electricity consumption would be catered for by renewable sources.