ACWA Power Unveils Plans to Localize Renewable Energy Sector in Saudi Arabia

The localization rate at the “Sakaka" Photovoltaic Solar Energy Project has reached nearly 100%. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The localization rate at the “Sakaka" Photovoltaic Solar Energy Project has reached nearly 100%. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

ACWA Power Unveils Plans to Localize Renewable Energy Sector in Saudi Arabia

The localization rate at the “Sakaka" Photovoltaic Solar Energy Project has reached nearly 100%. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The localization rate at the “Sakaka" Photovoltaic Solar Energy Project has reached nearly 100%. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

ACWA Power has declared its continued dedication to localizing the renewable energy sector in Saudi Arabia through extensive plans and strategies aligned with the Kingdom’s goal of meeting 50% of its energy needs with clean energy by 2030.

Saudi Arabia has undertaken the construction of numerous mega projects, including solar and wind power stations, which stand as the world’s largest. This significant leap aligns with the country's pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and combat climate change.

According to the General Authority for Statistics, Saudi Arabia is a youthful nation, with 63% of its citizens under the age of 30.

Despite this demographic, the Kingdom achieved the fastest-growing economy within the G20 group in 2022, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The renewable energy industry worldwide is undergoing a pivotal turning point, fueled by Saudi Arabia’s ambitious aspirations to lead the energy transition. Consequently, investing in national human capital has become a crucial element in developing and implementing future energy solutions to achieve these objectives.

For its part, ACWA Power confirmed its dedication to keeping pace with this development.

Mohammad Abunayyan, chairman of ACWA Power, emphasized the value that young national energies add to one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

“We recognize our responsibility towards our young national energies and the immense potential they possess,” said Abunayyan.

“Therefore, we are working on their training, promoting values, developing essential skills, and nurturing the knowledge that empowers them to lead the future of the clean energy and water sectors,” he added.

ACWA Power reiterated its commitment to supporting youth development in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and contributing to the diversification of the country’s economy.

It aims to play an active role in driving the realization of this vision by prioritizing the empowerment of young men and women and investing in programs that nurture their talents.



Riyadh and Tokyo to Launch Coordination Framework to Boost Cooperation

Saudi Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Binzagr. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Binzagr. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Riyadh and Tokyo to Launch Coordination Framework to Boost Cooperation

Saudi Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Binzagr. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Binzagr. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia and Japan are close to unveiling a higher partnership council that will be headed by the countries’ leaderships in line with efforts to build a partnership that bolsters the technical transformation and joint research in clean energy, communications and other areas, revealed Saudi Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Binzagr.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the two countries will soon open a new chapter in their sophisticated strategic partnership.

The new council will be chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to push forward the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030, he added.

The council will elevate cooperation between the countries and pave the way for broader dialogue and consultations in various fields to bolster political, defense, economic, cultural and sports cooperation, he explained.

The two parties will work on critical technological partnerships that will focus on assessing and developing technologies to benefit from them, Binzagr said. They will also focus on the economy these technologies can create and in turn, the new jobs they will generate.

These jobs can be inside Saudi Arabia or abroad and provide employers with the opportunity to develop the sectors they are specialized in, he added.

Binzagr said Saudi Arabia and Japan will mark 70s years of relations in 2025, coinciding with the launch of Expo 2025 in Osaka in which the Kingdom will have a major presence.

Relations have been based on energy security and trade exchange with Japan’s need for oil. Now, according to Saudi Vision 2030, they can be based on renewable energy and the post-oil phase, remarked the ambassador.

Several opportunities are available in both countries in the cultural, sports and technical fields, he noted.

Both sides agree that improving clean energy and a sustainable environment cannot take place at the expense of a strong economy or quality of life, but through partnership between their countries to influence the global economy, he explained.

"For the next phase, we are keen on consolidating the concept of sustainable partnerships between the two countries in various fields so that this partnership can last for generations,” Binzagr stressed.

“I believe these old partnerships will last for decades and centuries to come,” he remarked.

Moreover, he noted that the oil sector was the cornerstone of the partnership and it will now shift to petrochemicals and the development of the petrochemical industry.