Steel for Solar and Wind Projects in Saudi Arabia
Steel used in Saudi solar and wind projects: galvanized mounting structures, tracker components, piles, wind tower plate, substations and what procurement teams should specify.
Saudi Steel Work Editorial Team · · 3 min read
Short answer: Saudi solar projects use large volumes of hot-dip galvanized steel for piles, posts, rails and tracker components, typically cold-formed sections and hollow sections. Wind projects use heavy structural plate for towers and flanges with specified toughness. Substations and transmission add galvanized lattice structures. Key specifications are steel grade, galvanizing thickness, tolerances and delivery rate.
Saudi Arabia has set ambitious renewable energy targets, and utility-scale solar and wind projects are steel-intensive.
Solar PV
Fixed-tilt structures: posts or piles, rafters and purlins, typically cold-formed C/Z or hollow sections, hot-dip galvanized.
Single-axis trackers: torque tubes (often hollow sections), piles, bearings and drive components.
Key specifications:
- Steel grade (often S350GD–S420GD for cold-formed, S355 for hot-rolled)
- Galvanizing thickness for design life (galvanizing explained)
- Pile coating for soil corrosivity
- Tight dimensional tolerances for fast installation
Wind
- Towers: rolled and welded plate sections, often S355 with specified impact toughness (Charpy testing)
- Flanges: forged rings with strict requirements
- Foundations: anchor cages and embedded steel
Grid and substations
- Galvanized lattice and gantry structures
- Transmission towers (angles, bolts)
- Cable trays and supports
Procurement challenges
- Volume and pace: projects need thousands of tonnes delivered steadily to match installation rates
- Local content: many tenders reward local manufacturing (IKTVA and local content)
- Desert conditions: sand abrasion, heat and occasional saline soils
- Logistics: remote sites need consolidated, well-sequenced deliveries
Typical steel documentation
- Mill certificates for coil or sections (MTC guide)
- Galvanizing thickness reports
- Dimensional inspection reports
See our power and renewables page and hollow sections.