Saudi Arabia Sets New Regulations for Transporting Nuclear, Radioactive Material

New regulations for transporting radioactive material in Saudi waters (Asharq Al-Awsat)
New regulations for transporting radioactive material in Saudi waters (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi Arabia Sets New Regulations for Transporting Nuclear, Radioactive Material

New regulations for transporting radioactive material in Saudi waters (Asharq Al-Awsat)
New regulations for transporting radioactive material in Saudi waters (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi authorities issued new regulations for maritime transportation and handling of nuclear and radioactive materials to, from, and through Saudi Arabia, according to official sources.

The authorities informed all port managers, maritime agents, and operating companies of the new measures calling on the representatives of the private sector operating in Saudi ports to adhere to the new requirements issued by the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission (NRRC).

Saudi Port Authority (Mawani) announced that any company importing, exporting, or transiting nuclear and radioactive materials through the Kingdom must obtain a license from competent authorities.

The Authority asserted that the Commission must be notified regarding the innocent passage of ships carrying nuclear and radioactive materials and their belongings.

The agent must ensure that the sender and the consignee have prior authorization if the ship is carrying a cargo of this kind.

The Authority banned the import, export, and transit of radioactive waste across the Kingdom’s territorial sea. It also indicated that shipments containing spent fuel must obtain a license and written notice two weeks ahead of the shipping date.

The new requirements also prevent ships from carrying plutonium unless it is part of a medical device, with specific requirements.

If the ship's interior is contaminated with radioactive materials in ports, harbors, or the territorial waters of the Kingdom, it must be removed by an authorized authority, before the ship returns to service.

The Authority stressed that if a ship transporting nuclear materials was involved in an accident, it should issue a detailed report on the measures taken. Also, the flag state bears full responsibility for any accident per the Kingdom's maritime law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The Ports Authority, in cooperation with the Saudi Customs, recently adopted a new mechanism for handling merchandise and containers of abandoned goods and containers in the ports that exceed its statutory period.

The Authority indicated that this procedure increases the speed of the container turnover rate for shipping lines and ensures the optimal use of the ports' capacity.

It emphasized that this decision aims to define the roles and responsibilities of the concerned authorities within the port on handling abandoned goods.



Saudi Arabia Among World's Top 10 Global Markets in Energy Storage

Through the National Renewable Energy Program, overseen by the Ministry of Energy, the Kingdom aims to achieve a storage capacity of up to 48 gigawatt-hours by 2030. (SPA)
Through the National Renewable Energy Program, overseen by the Ministry of Energy, the Kingdom aims to achieve a storage capacity of up to 48 gigawatt-hours by 2030. (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia Among World's Top 10 Global Markets in Energy Storage

Through the National Renewable Energy Program, overseen by the Ministry of Energy, the Kingdom aims to achieve a storage capacity of up to 48 gigawatt-hours by 2030. (SPA)
Through the National Renewable Energy Program, overseen by the Ministry of Energy, the Kingdom aims to achieve a storage capacity of up to 48 gigawatt-hours by 2030. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia has achieved a leading position among the top ten global markets in the field of battery energy storage, coinciding with the launch of the Bisha Project, which has a capacity of 2000 MWh and is one of the largest energy storage projects in the Middle East and Africa.

Through the National Renewable Energy Program, overseen by the Ministry of Energy, the Kingdom aims to achieve a storage capacity of up to 48 gigawatt-hours by 2030. So far, 26 gigawatt-hours of storage projects have been tendered, and they are at various stages of development.

These projects play a pivotal role in supporting the expansion of renewable energy, thereby helping achieve the targets of the national energy mix. The Kingdom aims for 50% of total electricity production to be generated by renewables by 2030, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Friday.

According to the ranking by Wood Mackenzie consultancy, which specializes in the energy sector, Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of emerging markets that are experiencing rapid growth in energy storage projects, amid expectations of the new storage capacities to further strengthen the Kingdom's position among the top ten global markets in this field over the next decade.

This growth aligns with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to expand electricity production from renewable sources such as solar and wind energy.

The Kingdom plans to operate 8 GWh of energy storage projects by 2025, and 22 GWh by 2026, positioning itself as the third largest global market in energy storage projects, following China and the United States, based on the storage capacities announced to date.

The recently operational Bisha battery energy storage project features 488 advanced battery containers with a storage capacity of 500 MW for a duration of four hours.

The project facilitates battery charging during low-demand periods and discharging during peak times, ensuring backup power availability when necessary, improving the flexibility of electricity supply management, and promoting smart solutions for a more sustainable energy future.

The Kingdom's energy sector is undergoing a significant transformation that strengthens its leading position in the production and export of diverse energy types. By the end of 2024, the total capacity of renewable energy projects, across all stages of development, had reached 44.1 GW.

Energy storage plays a crucial role in enhancing the reliability of electricity supply, thereby improving the National Grid's capacity to deal with emergency situations and achieving strategic objectives for the advancement of the energy sector in the Kingdom.