Solar Power Project Plan 2030, Greatest Energy Source Worldwide by 2050

A 2012 file picture shows a Saudi man walking past solar panels at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Al-Oyeynah Research Station. (Reuters)
A 2012 file picture shows a Saudi man walking past solar panels at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Al-Oyeynah Research Station. (Reuters)
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Solar Power Project Plan 2030, Greatest Energy Source Worldwide by 2050

A 2012 file picture shows a Saudi man walking past solar panels at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Al-Oyeynah Research Station. (Reuters)
A 2012 file picture shows a Saudi man walking past solar panels at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Al-Oyeynah Research Station. (Reuters)

The launching of Solar Power Project Plan 2030 grabbed the attention of a number of energy experts in the world, especially after the kingdom’s announcement that it intends to produce 200 gigawatt of solar energy by 2030.

The purposes of this project goes in tandem with the forecasts of the International Renewable Energy Agency that solar energy will be the greatest energy source worldwide by 2050.

This Solar Power Project Plan 2030 is considered one of the ambitious steps of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman towards the implementation of the Saudi Vision 2030, which affirmed that it would put a legal and organizational framework that allows the private sector to invest and possess in renewable energy sector, as well as urge partnerships between the private and public sector.

This global project would contribute to increasing electricity generated from solar energy, opening new economic and investment channels in the kingdom in addition to providing job opportunities, training and investment in individuals and firms.

Dr. Turki bin Saud bin Mohammed, Vice President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) for Research Institutes, commended the efforts of the crown prince in signing a memorandum of understanding to establish the Solar Power Project Plan 2030 as a first step to produce around 200 gigawatt in 2030.

The country’s need of energy is now equal to 75 gigawatt, and the project will enable the kingdom to export the surplus, he added, saying that the kingdom enjoys huge spaces that can be invested to construct enormous power plants.



China Exports Beat Forecasts in June after US Tariff Truce

A container ship arrives at the port in Lianyungang, in China's eastern Jiangsu province on July 14, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
A container ship arrives at the port in Lianyungang, in China's eastern Jiangsu province on July 14, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
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China Exports Beat Forecasts in June after US Tariff Truce

A container ship arrives at the port in Lianyungang, in China's eastern Jiangsu province on July 14, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
A container ship arrives at the port in Lianyungang, in China's eastern Jiangsu province on July 14, 2025. (Photo by AFP)

China's exports rose more than expected in June, official data showed Monday, after Washington and Beijing agreed a tentative deal to lower swingeing tariffs on each other.

Data from the General Administration of Customs said exports climbed 5.8 percent year-on-year, topping the five percent forecast in a Bloomberg survey of economists, said AFP.

Imports rose 1.1 percent, topping the 0.3 percent gain predicted and marking the first growth this year.

China's exports reached record highs in 2024 -- a lifeline to its slowing economy as pressures elsewhere mounted.

Beijing's efforts to sustain growth have been hit by a bruising trade war with the United States, driven by President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, though the two de-escalated their spat with a framework for a deal at talks in London last month.

Monday's customs figures showed Chinese exports to the United States surged 32.4 percent in June, having fallen the month before, according to an AFP calculation based on official data.

"Growth in export values rebounded somewhat last month, helped by the US-China trade truce," Zichuan Huang, China economist at Capital Economics, said.

"But tariffs are likely to remain high and Chinese manufacturers face growing constraints on their ability to rapidly expand global market share by slashing prices," Huang said.

"We therefore expect export growth to slow over the coming quarters, weighing on economic growth," she added.

Customs official Wang Lingjun told a news conference on Monday that Beijing hoped "the US will continue to work together with China towards the same direction", state broadcaster CCTV reported.

The tariff truce was "hard won", Wang said.

"There is no way out through blackmail and coercion. Dialogue and cooperation are the right path," he added.

Stuttering growth

Analysts say China's economy is expected to have expanded more than five percent in the second quarter thanks to its strong exports. Official figures are due to be released on Tuesday.

But they also warn Trump's trade war could cause a sharp slowdown in the final six months of the year.

Beijing is targeting an overall expansion of around five percent this year -- the same as last year but a figure considered ambitious by many experts.

First-quarter growth came in at 5.4 percent, beating forecasts and putting the economy on a positive trajectory.

Beijing has struggled to sustain growth since the pandemic as it battles a prolonged debt crisis in the property sector, chronically low consumption and high youth unemployment.

Data released last week showed that consumer prices edged up in June, barely snapping a four-month deflationary dip, but factory gate prices dropped at their fastest clip in nearly two years.

Many economists argue that China needs to shift towards a growth model propelled more by domestic consumption than the traditional key drivers of infrastructure investment, manufacturing and exports.

Beijing has introduced a slew of measures since last year in a bid to boost spending, including a consumer goods trade-in subsidy scheme that briefly lifted retail activity.