A solar park in Saudi Arabia has become a breeding shelter for the threatened sand gazelle. Conservationists call the project ReWildingVoltaics.

The 250-megawatt solar plant sits inside the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve in Tabuk. It covers 505 hectares. In May 2026, 38 sand gazelles were introduced into the site. There were 33 females and 5 males. The first offspring are expected by December this year.

Only about 3,000 sand gazelles survive in the wild across the Arabian Peninsula and Turkiye. The reserve’s scientists project the herd could grow to around 600 by 2031. About 500 animals are needed before they can be released into the wider 24,500-square-kilometre reserve.

The site is ideal for the animals. A predator-proof fence keeps them safe. Ground temperatures under the solar panels are 5 to 10 degrees Celsius lower. A specialist ranger team monitors the herd.

The plant is run by the AMAALA Sustainable Company for Energy, a joint venture of EDF Group, Masdar, SUEZ, and Korea East-West Power. The project was reported this week and has been called a global first in conservation.