Mohammed bin Salman: Saudi Arabia Will Become Global Hub for Conventional, Renewable Energy

The projects will have more than 3,600 megawatt capacity, in addition to the Sakaka solar and Dumat al-Jandal wind projects. SPA
The projects will have more than 3,600 megawatt capacity, in addition to the Sakaka solar and Dumat al-Jandal wind projects. SPA
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Mohammed bin Salman: Saudi Arabia Will Become Global Hub for Conventional, Renewable Energy

The projects will have more than 3,600 megawatt capacity, in addition to the Sakaka solar and Dumat al-Jandal wind projects. SPA
The projects will have more than 3,600 megawatt capacity, in addition to the Sakaka solar and Dumat al-Jandal wind projects. SPA

Saudi Arabia has signed Power Purchase Agreements for seven new solar power projects in various regions in the country that will power more than 600,000 households, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said Thursday.

The projects will have more than 3,600 megawatt capacity, in addition to the Sakaka solar and Dumat al-Jandal wind projects.

"These projects, along with other renewable energy projects, which are being developed across the Kingdom, constitute essential elements of our plans that seek to optimize the energy mix used to produce electricity," the Crown Prince said.

They are the result of Saudi King Salman’s directives and the Kingdom’s aim to develop its economy, in accordance with Vision 2030’s renewable energy initiatives.

The Crown Prince said that by 2030 the aim was for gas and renewables to each account for a 50% share of the Kingdom's energy mix to produce electricity. And that this would substitute about 1 million barrel of oil equivalent of liquid fuels.

Saudi Arabia aims “to nationalize the renewable energy sector, promote the local content, and enable the manufacturing of the components of solar and wind energy production locally, allowing the Kingdom, within the next ten years, to become a global hub for conventional energy, renewable energy and their technologies,” he said.

“We are well aware of our share of responsibility in advancing the fight against climate change. In continuation of our leading role in the stability of the energy markets, we will forge ahead to play the same role to lead in the area of renewable energy,” he added.



Washington, Manama Sign Agreement on Peaceful Nuclear Energy Cooperation

US President Donald J. Trump (C-R) meets Bahrain's Prime Minister and Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa (C-L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 16 July 2025.  EPA/AARON SCHWARTZ / POOL
US President Donald J. Trump (C-R) meets Bahrain's Prime Minister and Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa (C-L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 16 July 2025. EPA/AARON SCHWARTZ / POOL
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Washington, Manama Sign Agreement on Peaceful Nuclear Energy Cooperation

US President Donald J. Trump (C-R) meets Bahrain's Prime Minister and Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa (C-L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 16 July 2025.  EPA/AARON SCHWARTZ / POOL
US President Donald J. Trump (C-R) meets Bahrain's Prime Minister and Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa (C-L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 16 July 2025. EPA/AARON SCHWARTZ / POOL

The US and Bahrain on Wednesday signed a cooperation agreement in the field of peaceful nuclear energy shortly before a meeting in the White House between US President Donald Trump and Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

“This is an important signing,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at the signing ceremony with his Bahraini counterpart, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.

He added: “It serves as the first step towards a deeper civil nuclear cooperation – an example that the United States is prepared to be a partner with any nation on Earth that wants to pursue a civil nuclear program that clearly is not geared towards weaponization or threatening the security of their neighbors.”

Rubio did not mention by name Iran, which Israel and Washington accuse of seeking nuclear weapons.

“And this is a – no one better to do it with than such a strong partner that we’ve been working with for so long. This only strengthens our relationship,” Rubio said.

Later at a meeting with Trump, Bahrain's Crown Prince announced plans to invest more than $17 billion in the United States.

“We're very happy to be announcing $17 billion worth of deals that are coming to the United States,” said Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. He then joked with journalists at the White House, saying, “And this is real. These aren't fake deals.”

Asked whether Iran should return to the negotiating table with the US over its nuclear program, the Crown Prince said: “The ball is in their court. They are the ones who stand to benefit from a negotiation.”