Saudi Arabia: 79 Gigawatts of Renewable Energy Projects Under Development

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, stated that the capacity of renewable energy projects under development in the Kingdom has reached approximately 79 gigawatts, while targeting an increase in carbon capture and storage capacity to 44 million tons annually over the next decade, alongside its role in providing reliable and affordable energy supplies.

Speaking at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, he added that Saudi Arabia emphasizes that what unites countries is the shared goal of reducing emissions, rather than necessarily following the same path. He clarified that the objective is to reduce emissions regardless of their source, by leveraging all available solutions and technologies.

He noted that expanding electricity use does not necessarily lead to emission reductions unless the sources of electricity generation are taken into account. He stressed the importance of allowing countries the flexibility to choose pathways that suit their national circumstances and development priorities, while maintaining energy security and supporting economic growth.

He said that current geopolitical developments have confirmed the validity of warnings issued by the Kingdom in recent years: that pursuing net-zero targets without considering energy security requirements could undermine those efforts.

He added that addressing global climate challenges requires broad international cooperation, rather than unilateral measures that could restrict trade or limit the development options available to countries. He highlighted the importance of multilateral cooperation and maintaining an open international economic system that supports development and ensures a just transition toward a low-emission future.

He explained that the Kingdom has translated these principles into practical steps through a balanced approach that combines emission reductions, energy security, and sustainable development, based on the concept of a circular carbon economy introduced by the Kingdom during its G20 presidency in 2020.

The Energy Minister reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, emphasizing that the success of climate action is not achieved by imposing a single path on all countries, but rather by achieving common results through multiple pathways that account for different national circumstances, protect the climate, and support sustainable development.