Saudi Energy Minister: Providing Competitive Energy Prices for Companies

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman at the Digital Government Forum in Riyadh
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman at the Digital Government Forum in Riyadh
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Saudi Energy Minister: Providing Competitive Energy Prices for Companies

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman at the Digital Government Forum in Riyadh
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman at the Digital Government Forum in Riyadh

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman has revealed a new initiative led by the Kingdom aimed at providing sustainable energy to businesses at a fixed and stable price for an extended period.
He revealed that there are currently 1,200 sites across various regions of the Kingdom being studied to determine the most suitable locations for solar energy projects.
During a session titled ‘The Role of Innovation and Digital Transformation in Enhancing Efficiency in the Energy Sector Towards a Sustainable Future’ at the Digital Government Forum in Riyadh, the prince announced a new direction to provide sustainable energy to companies at a fixed and stable price for a long period, asserting that the Kingdom is capable of doing so to enhance the economic returns of facilities.
The minister added that the Ministry has succeeded in reducing costs by using modern technologies in the process of extracting, producing, and distributing all forms of energy, as well as in reducing costs in manufacturing spare parts and devices used in these processes.
He also noted that the Kingdom has ‘thousands’ of oil and gas pipelines spread across the country, highlighting the importance of artificial intelligence technology in monitoring various aspects around them, including maintenance, safety, and security.



Spain Gives Green Light for Saudi STC to Raise Stake in Telefonica to 9.97%

STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder - File Photo
STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder - File Photo
TT

Spain Gives Green Light for Saudi STC to Raise Stake in Telefonica to 9.97%

STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder - File Photo
STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder - File Photo

The Spanish government has given the green light to Saudi Arabia's largest telecoms operator, STC Group, to raise its stake in Telefonica beyond 5% and reach 9.97%, Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said on Thursday.

Cuerpo confirmed an earlier report by El Pais newspaper during a news conference following the cabinet's weekly meeting in which the stake increase was approved, Reuters reported.

"Measures and conditions have been set and accepted voluntarily by the Saudi company to ensure that (the operation) takes place," Cuerpo told reporters.

He said the government's decision followed an "exhaustive analysis based not only on compliance with current legislation but also to guarantee the national interest in defense and ensure the strategic element in telecommunications".

Last year, STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder.

The Saudi group said at the time it owned a 4.9% stake in Telefonica and financial instruments giving it another 5% in what it called economic exposure to the company.

The Spanish government had to authorize the deal as Telefonica is considered a defence service provider and therefore a strategic company.

The Saudi company has said it does not intend to gain control of or a majority stake in Telefonica.