Erdogan visits Saudi Arabia as Ankara, Riyadh sign major solar power deal

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Saudi Arabia's capital on Tuesday as Ankara and Riyadh continue efforts to reset relations after years of strain, reported Xinhua.

The visit included the signing of a multi-billion-dollar agreement to develop solar power projects in Türkiye with a total capacity of 5,000 megawatts, underscoring a growing emphasis on economic cooperation between the two regional powers, according to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The deal was signed by Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud and Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar. It provides for the construction of solar power plants in Türkiye in two phases and is expected to supply electricity to more than 2 million households. The first phase represents an investment of about 2 billion U.S. dollars.

Under the agreement, electricity generated by the projects will be purchased by a Turkish state-owned utility under 30-year contracts, providing long-term financial backing. The deal also calls for the maximum use of local equipment and service providers.

During talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, the Turkish leader expressed a commitment to elevating bilateral ties in renewable energy and defense, Erdogan's office said. The leaders also discussed regional stability, with Erdogan noting a shared intent to cooperate on the reconstruction of Syria.

Saudi and Turkish officials said the projects support efforts to diversify energy sources, strengthen energy security, and advance the transition to a low-carbon economy. For Saudi Arabia, the investment aligns with its Vision 2030 plan to reduce dependence on oil. For Türkiye, it bolsters energy security and domestic manufacturing.

Relations between Ankara and Riyadh have improved in recent years after reaching a low point following the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Erdogan has since sought to repair ties with Gulf countries as part of a broader push to attract foreign investment and stabilize Türkiye's economy.