Saudi Arabia, France to Cooperate on Clean Hydrogen, Renewable Energy

File Photo: Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman looks on during a press conference after the 45th Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee and the 33rd OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting in Vienna, Austria, on October 5, 2022. (AFP)
File Photo: Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman looks on during a press conference after the 45th Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee and the 33rd OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting in Vienna, Austria, on October 5, 2022. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia, France to Cooperate on Clean Hydrogen, Renewable Energy

File Photo: Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman looks on during a press conference after the 45th Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee and the 33rd OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting in Vienna, Austria, on October 5, 2022. (AFP)
File Photo: Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman looks on during a press conference after the 45th Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee and the 33rd OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting in Vienna, Austria, on October 5, 2022. (AFP)

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz reiterated on Friday the need to increase the stability of the global oil market, during a video call with French Minister for Energy Transition, Agnes Pannier-Runacher.

Saudi Arabia and France are seeking to increase cooperation in clean hydrogen and renewable energy.

The two ministers pointed to the need to strengthen bilateral relations and to ensure security and energy supplies to global markets, noting that Riyadh would remain a reliable partner in crude oil supplies to France.

The two officials discussed cooperation in the field of clean hydrogen and renewable energy, in which French companies actively engage, in addition to the bilateral agreement for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, which was signed by the two governments in February 2011.

The two sides emphasized the importance of working on opportunities in the electricity sector, energy efficiency, innovation, decarbonization technologies, and other areas of mutual interest.

According to information released on Friday, bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and France are witnessing growth at the political, economic, cultural and defense levels.

The two countries have agreed on the need to study opportunities for developing the production of clean hydrogen in Saudi Arabia, to facilitate the transition to economies free of greenhouse gas emissions.

Meeting with Greece

Also on Friday, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman conducted a video call with Kostsas Skrekas, Greek Minister of Environment and Energy, underlining the need to strengthen energy cooperation and form a high-level working group to facilitate the implementation of the memorandum of understanding signed in July.

The two sides expressed readiness to cooperate in supporting the stability of global oil markets, maintaining close communication and facing emerging challenges and risks.

They also stressed the need to ensure the security and reliability of energy supplies to global markets, noting that Saudi Arabia remained one of Greece’s most reliable partners in crude oil supplies.

Moreover, the meeting discussed cooperation in renewable energy, clean hydrogen, and electrical interconnection projects.

Partnership with Pakistan

On Thursday, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman participated, via video call, in the first meeting of a Saudi-Pakistani Economic Steering Committee, with Dr. Miftah Ismail, Minister of Finance and Revenue of Pakistan.

The Saudi minister stressed that his country considers Pakistan an important partner in its development plans and programs, adding that the two countries sought to enhance ways of cooperation and create new partnership opportunities and initiatives that benefit the common interest.

The work of the Steering Committee covers several areas, including energy, industry, mineral wealth, trade, finance, environment, agriculture, transportation, logistics, communications, information technology, tourism and investment.



China Eyes Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Opportunities in Saudi Arabia

Chinese ambassador to Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Chinese ambassador to Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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China Eyes Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Opportunities in Saudi Arabia

Chinese ambassador to Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Chinese ambassador to Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

China’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Chang Hua, expressed Beijing’s hopes to strengthen its partnership with the kingdom, especially in electric vehicle production and other industries.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Hua condemned violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty and the targeting of civilians.
He called for immediate action to reduce tensions and prevent further escalation in the region.
“China is deeply shocked by the high civilian casualties from the conflict between Israel and Lebanon,” Hua said, urging the international community to work on calming the situation.
He emphasized that, no matter how things unfold, “China will always stand for justice and remain committed to peace and stability in the Middle East. We are ready to work with all parties to promote peace in the region.”
China’s Economic Growth
Hua highlighted China’s rise from a $30 billion economy to a $17.8 trillion one, making it the world’s second-largest economy and a leader in trade and industry.
He reiterated China’s goal to maintain high-level openness, push for high-quality economic development, and promote a multipolar world with fair global governance and inclusive economic globalization.
Saudi-China Relations
Hua described the partnership between Saudi Arabia and China as entering a new phase of deep development, congratulating Saudi Arabia on its 94th National Day.
He noted that Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia has boosted bilateral relations and strengthened the comprehensive strategic partnership, driving it towards a more stable and prosperous future.
The ambassador stressed the need to expand trade and investment between the two countries and highlighted the upcoming “Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year 2025” as a key event.
Hua also pointed out that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman values the strong and historic relationship between the two nations.
The Crown Prince looks forward to further aligning Saudi Vision 2030 with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, expanding cooperation in energy, investment, and culture.
Hua noted that China is Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding $100 billion in the past two years. He also mentioned the recent currency swap agreement between the two countries, which has helped boost trade and investment.
New Developments in Saudi-China Relations
According to Hua, the cooperation between the two nations has grown significantly, particularly in the automotive, renewable energy, and tourism sectors.
In 2023, Saudi imports of Chinese cars reached $4.12 billion, driven by companies like Changan, Geely, MG, Chery, Great Wall, Hongqi, GAC, and BYD, which have opened branches in the kingdom.
Discussions are ongoing about building local manufacturing plants. China exported 4.91 million vehicles in 2023, making it the largest car exporter globally for the first time, including 1.203 million electric vehicles, a 77.6% increase from the previous year.
Hua noted that Saudi Vision 2030 aims for electric vehicles to account for at least 30% of all cars in Riyadh by 2030, and he expressed optimism about enhancing collaboration in automotive manufacturing.
Chinese companies are also increasingly involved in Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy sector. They are working on multiple solar projects, including the Al Shuaibah photovoltaic plant, the largest of its kind in the world, with a capacity of 2.6 gigawatts.
In July 2023, the Renewable Energy Localization Company (RELC), backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, signed agreements with three Chinese firms—Envision Technology Group, Jinko Solar, and TCL Zhonghuan—to establish joint ventures for high-efficiency solar cell production in Saudi Arabia.
These projects will focus on producing solar components, helping Saudi Arabia achieve its goal of sourcing 75% of renewable energy project components locally by 2030.
Hua also highlighted the increasing exchange of visits between citizens of both countries. In September 2023, China and Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate group tourism, making the kingdom an official destination for Chinese tour groups.
Several Chinese travel agencies have begun offering packages to Saudi Arabia, and direct flights between the two countries are increasing. Saudi Airlines has expanded its routes, operating numerous weekly flights between Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Riyadh, and Jeddah.