Saudi Arabia Seeks to Increase Reliance on Renewable Energy

Faisal bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Al-Jouf region, addresses the opening of the Renewable Energy Conference on Sunday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Faisal bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Al-Jouf region, addresses the opening of the Renewable Energy Conference on Sunday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Seeks to Increase Reliance on Renewable Energy

Faisal bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Al-Jouf region, addresses the opening of the Renewable Energy Conference on Sunday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Faisal bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Al-Jouf region, addresses the opening of the Renewable Energy Conference on Sunday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Prince Faisal bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, governor of Al-Jouf region (northern Saudi Arabia), revealed efforts to provide innovative technical solutions for the production of renewable energy with high economic efficiency, to meet energy and water needs.

Addressing the opening session of the Renewable Energy Conference at Al-Jouf University on Sunday, Prince Faisal bin Nawaf pointed to Saudi Arabia’s endeavor to address obstacles facing the use of renewable energy, stressing that the conference was aimed at raising awareness among community members on the importance to rely on clean sources of energy.

He also underlined to need to support research in order to achieve the goals of Vision 2030 in the field of energy and sustainability.

For his part, Dr. Muhammad Al-Shaya, President of Al-Jouf University, said that the region of Al-Jouf has set a strategic goal to achieve the goals of Vision 2030, by contributing to the transition towards renewable energy.

Eng. Nasser Al-Qahtani, Assistant Minister of Energy for Electricity Affairs, stated that the conference highlighted the Kingdom’s support for renewable energy projects, based on Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify energy sources.

Al-Qahtani added that Al-Jouf was home to the Kingdom’s first renewable energy projects that are connected to the electrical grid. The Sakaka solar photovoltaic project, which has a capacity of 300 megawatts, and Dumat Al-Jandal for wind energy, with a capacity of 400 megawatts, have been put into operation and connected to the public electrical grid.



Oman’s Commerce Minister: Omani-Saudi Trade, Economic Ties Witness Significant Growth

General view of Riyadh. SPA
General view of Riyadh. SPA
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Oman’s Commerce Minister: Omani-Saudi Trade, Economic Ties Witness Significant Growth

General view of Riyadh. SPA
General view of Riyadh. SPA

Omani Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion Qais bin Mohammad Al-Yousef has said that trade and economic relations between Oman and Saudi Arabia are experiencing significant growth, reflecting the strength of the fraternal and historical ties between the two countries.

During a news conference organized by the Omani Ministry of Information under the theme "Oman and the World," Al-Yousef explained on Thursday that joint projects reflect the efforts made to enhance economic cooperation between the two nations, particularly in areas that support trade exchange, regional economic development and expanding cooperation in fields such as energy, industry, technology, and tourism.

He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts in opening the land route linking the Kingdom to Oman, which represents a qualitative leap in enhancing bilateral trade movement. It has facilitated the mobility of both companies and citizens and boosted tourism and public communication, alongside supporting both nations’ efforts to achieve economic integration through building advanced infrastructure, he said.

"Saudi-Omani relations are strong and prosperous, witnessing growth in all areas. We are confident that the continued cooperation between us will yield strategic gains that serve the interests of both countries in the commercial, industrial, or tourism sectors,” the minister said.

He also pointed out that Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in developing the industrial sector and modernizing the logistical infrastructure, which opens new horizons for joint cooperation, especially in areas related to industrial integration and investment in major projects.

He highlighted the recent visit by Saudi Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Kassabi to Oman, where he discussed several initiatives that both sides aim to implement in the near future, as well as opportunities to launch joint projects between the private sectors of both countries, particularly in industrial fields.

Al-Yousef stressed the Saudi-Omani relationship serves as a model for Arab economic cooperation, and that the future holds many opportunities to strengthen this cooperation at all levels.