Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan Sign Cooperation Deal in Renewable Energy

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. (Reuters)
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan Sign Cooperation Deal in Renewable Energy

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. (Reuters)
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. (Reuters)

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and his Kazakh counterpart, Almasadam Satkaliyev, have signed an executive program for cooperation between the Saudi and the Kazakh governments under the memorandum of understanding the two countries signed in June 2023.

The MoU covers energy sectors, including oil, natural gas, their derivatives, petrochemicals, electricity, clean hydrogen, renewables, energy efficiency, and storage.

The program, which was signed in the presence of Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Kemeluly, aims to implement projects in Kazakhstan in the fields of renewable energy, innovations, and combating global warming, and to promote projects that contribute to achieving the goals, priorities, and commitments of both countries in the fields of energy security and transformations.

The program applies to major projects aimed at producing and storing energy, including electricity projects, which can effectively contribute to achieving the goals of the two countries.

The program also contributes to supporting Kazakhstan’s endeavor to achieve its goals and policies in the field of reducing emissions, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, in addition to enhancing cooperation between Saudi and Kazakh companies in various related fields.



Brazil President Signs Law Authorizing Offshore Wind Development

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attends an event marking two years since the alleged coup attempt when supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro invaded government buildings and called for a military intervention, in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP)
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attends an event marking two years since the alleged coup attempt when supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro invaded government buildings and called for a military intervention, in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP)
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Brazil President Signs Law Authorizing Offshore Wind Development

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attends an event marking two years since the alleged coup attempt when supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro invaded government buildings and called for a military intervention, in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP)
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attends an event marking two years since the alleged coup attempt when supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro invaded government buildings and called for a military intervention, in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has signed into law a bill authorizing the development of offshore wind farms, a statement said late on Friday, a bid to strengthen the country's energy security and spark a wave of investment.

The new law foresees incentives for the development of offshore energy projects in Brazilian territorial waters, the statement said.

Offshore wind speeds tend to be faster and steadier than on land, a potential advantage compared with wind farms built on a continent. But offshore wind farms can be expensive, difficult to build and potentially affect marine animals and birds, according to the American Geosciences Institute.

The Brazilian government said the law provides guidelines for projects and restoration of explored areas, in addition to requiring prior consultations with affected communities to ensure "respect for traditional maritime practices and local culture."

More than 80% of Brazil's electricity comes from renewable sources, mainly hydroelectric, according to government data.

The president vetoed provisions in the law, introduced during the congressional debate, which would maintain incentives for "more polluting, expensive and inefficient energy sources such as thermoelectric, coal and gas plants," the statement said.