Desalination Reduces Carbon Emissions by 22% of Saudi Arabia’s Total Targets

SWCC aims to strengthen its global leadership in the desalination industry. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
SWCC aims to strengthen its global leadership in the desalination industry. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Desalination Reduces Carbon Emissions by 22% of Saudi Arabia’s Total Targets

SWCC aims to strengthen its global leadership in the desalination industry. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
SWCC aims to strengthen its global leadership in the desalination industry. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) announced on Thursday that it has succeeded in curbing carbon dioxide emissions by 28 million tons annually, which represents 22 percent of the Kingdom’s total target for the year 2030.

Eng. Mamdouh Al-Shuaiby, Executive Manager of Industrial Security and Environment at the SWCC, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the corporation would gradually dispense with thermal desalination plants and replace them with environmentally-friendly reverse osmosis (RO) technology.

He noted that a new initiative was launched in coordination with the Water Transport and Technology Company to raise the level of environmental commitment in water transmission systems, by developing an environmental management system and relevant construction and operational licenses.

Shuaiby emphasized that the RO system was one of the best eco-friendly technologies for not involving burning processes and emissions. He said that the corporation was working on developing a system that absorbs gases emitted from chimneys and converts them into investment products.

In a statement, the SWCC said it has invested its engineering and research expertise to expand the design innovation, implementation and supply of the new high-efficiency desalination plant that consumes less energy and is more flexible in operation and mobility.

SWCC said it aims to “strengthen its global leadership in the desalination industry, continue its plans to achieve the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, and enable local content in all its current and future development projects.”



Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
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Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports soared to a two-year high in May, reaching SAR 28.89 billion (USD 7.70 billion), marking an 8.2% year-on-year increase compared to May 2023.

On a monthly basis, non-oil exports surged by 26.93% from April.

This growth contributed to Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus, which recorded a year-on-year increase of 12.8%, reaching SAR 34.5 billion (USD 9.1 billion) in May, following 18 months of decline.

The enhancement of the non-oil private sector remains a key focus for Saudi Arabia as it continues its efforts to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.

In 2023, non-oil activities in Saudi Arabia contributed 50% to the country’s real GDP, the highest level ever recorded, according to the Ministry of Economy and Planning’s analysis of data from the General Authority for Statistics.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan emphasized at the “Future Investment Initiative” in October that the Kingdom is now prioritizing the development of the non-oil sector over GDP figures, in line with its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.

A report by Moody’s highlighted Saudi Arabia’s extensive efforts to transform its economic structure, reduce dependency on oil, and boost non-oil sectors such as industry, tourism, and real estate.

The Saudi General Authority for Statistics’ monthly report on international trade noted a 5.8% growth in merchandise exports in May compared to the same period last year, driven by a 4.9% increase in oil exports, which totaled SAR 75.9 billion in May 2024.

The change reflects movements in global oil prices, while production levels remained steady at under 9 million barrels per day since the OPEC+ alliance began a voluntary reduction in crude supply to maintain prices. Production is set to gradually increase starting in early October.

On a monthly basis, merchandise exports rose by 3.3% from April to May, supported by a 26.9% increase in non-oil exports. This rise was bolstered by a surge in re-exports, which reached SAR 10.2 billion, the highest level for this category since 2017.

The share of oil exports in total exports declined to 72.4% in May from 73% in the same month last year.

Moreover, the value of re-exported goods increased by 33.9% during the same period.