Saudi Arabia Aims to Develop New Plant to Localize Wind Energy

NEOM Green Hydrogen has recently announced the delivery of the first batch of turbines for the new plant (Asharq Al-Awsat)
NEOM Green Hydrogen has recently announced the delivery of the first batch of turbines for the new plant (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Aims to Develop New Plant to Localize Wind Energy

NEOM Green Hydrogen has recently announced the delivery of the first batch of turbines for the new plant (Asharq Al-Awsat)
NEOM Green Hydrogen has recently announced the delivery of the first batch of turbines for the new plant (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and China’s second-largest wind turbine manufacturer are close to a deal to develop a new plant in the Kingdom to help boost renewable power production by building a wind turbine manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia as part of the country’s efforts to localize supply chains.

The Saudi sovereign wealth fund and Vision Industries, a privately owned renewable-energy manufacturing company, could sign an agreement with Envision Energy Co., as soon as this week, Bloomberg said on Monday, quoting people familiar with the matter.

The deal would involve the PIF, which controls nearly $1 trillion of assets, and the two other partners building a wind turbine manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to localize supply chains, according to the people.

Envision is expected to be the majority investor in the partnership, they said, declining to be named discussing confidential information.

Envision already has significant business in Saudi Arabia, which is investing billions of dollars in renewables to stop burning oil for power.

The Chinese firm supplies wind turbines for the almost $9 billion Neom Green Hydrogen Co., which will use 4 gigawatts of solar and wind power to create clean hydrogen.



Saudi Arabia Seeks to Improve Human Resources to Face Changes in Global Labor Markets

Eng. Anas Al-Mudaifer, CEO of the Human Capability Development Program, speaks during the ceremony (Photo by: Turki Al-Agili)
Eng. Anas Al-Mudaifer, CEO of the Human Capability Development Program, speaks during the ceremony (Photo by: Turki Al-Agili)
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Saudi Arabia Seeks to Improve Human Resources to Face Changes in Global Labor Markets

Eng. Anas Al-Mudaifer, CEO of the Human Capability Development Program, speaks during the ceremony (Photo by: Turki Al-Agili)
Eng. Anas Al-Mudaifer, CEO of the Human Capability Development Program, speaks during the ceremony (Photo by: Turki Al-Agili)

The CEO of the Human Capability Development Program, Eng. Anas Al-Mudaifer, pointed to ongoing efforts to enhance the competitiveness of Saudis to keep pace with the changes in the labor market locally and the world.

He said the Program focuses on quality in university education and technical training, and providing continuous learning opportunities to prepare beneficiaries for future changes.

Since its launch in 2021, the Program, one of the Vision 2030 initiatives, has been working to ensure the readiness of citizens at all stages of life by investing in national talents and competencies, ensuring alignment between educational outcomes and labor market needs, and promoting and supporting a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Al-Mudaifer was speaking during the launch of the knowledge report of the Human Capabilities Initiative conference, under the title, “Developing Our Capabilities for a Bright Tomorrow,” on World Youth Skills Day on Monday in Riyadh.

He stressed that the program, over the past years, has sought to expand the availability of places in the kindergarten stage, implement major changes in public education, increase investment in talents, as well as offering many opportunities for students to complete their education, whether in local or international universities.

In his speech, Al-Mudaifer revealed that more than 10,000 male and female students have been sent on scholarships to the best 200 universities around the world, including more than 2,000 in the top 30 international universities.

He added that the program has offered training to more than a million beneficiaries in a partnership between the public and private sectors.

The report’s launch event, which was held at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC), was attended by more than 150 experts and policy makers.