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Saudi-US-Chinese Alliance Launches Green Energy Investment Company

A field of solar panels at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz City of Sciences and Technology. (Reuters)
A field of solar panels at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz City of Sciences and Technology. (Reuters)
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Saudi-US-Chinese Alliance Launches Green Energy Investment Company

A field of solar panels at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz City of Sciences and Technology. (Reuters)
A field of solar panels at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz City of Sciences and Technology. (Reuters)

A Saudi-American-Chinese alliance announced the launch of a green energy investment company under the name, Skytower, which will be specialized in transferring the latest short and long energy storage solutions to enable the energy mix in Saudi Arabia.

This alliance came following a visit by a US-Chinese trade delegation to Saudi Arabia on May 29, as part of efforts to launch an international green energy consortium based in Riyadh, consisting of multinational companies, to invest in advanced technologies for sustainable green economy, with the aim to reach zero carbon emissions.

The agreement aims to facilitate the access of the alliance members to the Saudi market, support green energy projects, and reinforce the Kingdom’s plan to reach carbon neutrality.

The coalition includes US and Chinese non-governmental organizations that share economic and environmental goals, and seek to build a new model for a sustainable, low-carbon future.

The delegation stated that its objectives are based on the Saudi Vision 2030 and the Net Zero 2060 programs.

 

Green energy technology

Dr. Eric Fang, CEO of Skytower Zero Carbon industry Park, told Asharq Al-Awsat about green energy opportunities in the Kingdom and their importance to the global economy.

He emphasized that Saudi Arabia enjoyed vast wind and solar resources, with new energy storage technology that is driving the use of renewable energy.

He also pointed to the establishment of a complete supply chain in energy storage, at a time when Saudi Arabia is preparing to lead the world in the use of green energy.

He said he saw Saudi Arabia as a major force in driving the adoption of renewable energy transition towards a greener society, adding that the current ambitious plan to fuel the economy with 50 percent of green energy was evidence of the Kingdom’s commitment to establishing a net-zero society in the future.

Moreover, the addition of hydrogen and ammonia technology to the energy mix would drive energy transmission to a high speed, he remarked.

On the future of investment in zero carbon in Saudi Arabia, the CEO of Skytower said that future, or as Saudi Arabia calls it the zero-carbon society, is worth trillions. The Kingdom will lead the world in industrial transformation, digital transformation, research and development innovation, materials development, all of which are foundations for a zero carbon investment.

 

The future of Chinese companies in Saudi Arabia

On the opportunities available to Chinese companies in the Kingdom, Fang stressed that China’s investments in carbon removal, green manufacturing, green infrastructure development, and integrated renewable energy production that combines solar and wind energy, hydrogen, and ammonia, in addition to green biotechnology... were all excellent opportunities in the Kingdom.

According to Fang, all products that are manufactured in Saudi Arabia can be exported to the Middle East, North Africa, Africa, the United States, China, Asia and the European Union. This promotes the strategy of green industry development, which attracts Chinese enterprises, he underlined.

 

Opportunities for American companies in the Kingdom

The CEO of Skytower enumerated the opportunities available to American companies in Saudi Arabia, in the “technology applications market that covers not only the Kingdom, but also the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Africa and the European Union.”

He explained that the great American engineering and innovation skills were today at the heart of economic development around the world.

He added that Saudi Arabia represents a unique new market for American companies, with the capacity for manufacturing, research and development to help create a regional center for innovation to fuel Vision 2030 and the Net Zero 2060 Goal 2060.

 

Comprehensive global experiences

Fang shed light on the opportunities for Saudi-American-Chinese investment cooperation and the benefits that such alliance would bring to the world in the field of green energy and zero carbon.

He noted that the new consortium would benefit from the strength of innovation in the United States, the Chinese industry and the manufacturing strength of the Saudi market to build a unique comprehensive solution development and planning company, with a holistic approach for the supply chain and the sustainability of renewable energy sources, which in turn will drive an unprecedented healthy green industry development.

In short, Skytower will bring 40 years of Chinese industry growth management and policy experiences, 40 years of technological innovation in the United States that support China’s development experiences, and 40 years of China industrial park policy, government incentives, and management expertise. The alliance will also provide a systematic and integrated approach to the needs of the Saudi industry development, while understanding the requirements for the company to enter the market, the CEO concluded.

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Business

Saudi Energy Minister Says Kingdom Remains Reliable, Flexible Supplier

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al-Saud attends the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg on June 4, 2026. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP)
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al-Saud attends the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg on June 4, 2026. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP)
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Saudi Energy Minister Says Kingdom Remains Reliable, Flexible Supplier

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al-Saud attends the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg on June 4, 2026. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP)
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al-Saud attends the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg on June 4, 2026. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP)

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman seized the spotlight at a high-level dialogue session held during the 2026 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, breaking a strategic silence that had become a focus of questions and a gauge for global market expectations.

Speaking on Thursday, he delivered carefully calibrated messages to the energy sector, stressing that the world urgently needs stability in energy markets and declaring with confidence that the Kingdom is a flexible energy supplier, was, and will remain so under all circumstances.

In his remarks during a special session at the forum, where the Kingdom is taking part as “main guest of honor” as the two countries mark the centenary of diplomatic relations, Prince Abdulaziz acknowledged that current geopolitical events in the Middle East were distracting attention and obstructing focus on Saudi Arabia’s strategic priorities, foremost among them the goals of Vision 2030.

He described the situation as a source of considerable frustration.

Even so, he sent a strong message of reassurance to global markets, saying in a firm tone that it was their duty, and that of every Saudi citizen, to defy this difficult environment and continue to pursue their ambitions.

The Kingdom has the capability and confidence to address challenges and demonstrate its economic and operational resilience, he added.

He pointed to what he described as the success of Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure and logistics system in turning tragedies into opportunities, and in managing the Hajj season with unprecedented success despite the surrounding regional turmoil.

On the partnership with Moscow, the Saudi Energy Minister announced the signing of 30 new cooperation agreements between the private sectors in the two countries across fields including industry, education, tourism, and energy.

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al-Saud attends the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg on June 4, 2026. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP)

Prince Abdulaziz said the Kingdom will sign agreements across various fields and that there are no limits or restrictions on joint cooperation.

He added that the strategic mindset in Riyadh and Moscow had moved beyond being merely “producers of oil or gas” to “manufacturing and supplying energy in its comprehensive sense,” including hydrocarbons and the export of electrons.

In an explanation of his earlier position, which had kept oil traders on edge, Prince Abdulaziz said he had deliberately remained silent during the period that witnessed one of the most severe global energy crises.

A minister is required to maintain his composure and not panic, because panic makes a person lose control of the narrative, he explained.

He moved on to express his intention to maintain silence, because silence amid many unknowns is a message and a humble acknowledgment that reality is changing quickly, and is a form of respect for oneself and for others.

He concluded his assessment of current market conditions with a pointed remark reflecting the scale of uncertainty clouding the global scene.

“The situation we’re going through now does make a point here, which is the world needs every molecule of energy, and every form of stabilization to this energy, because without energy security, you will lose sustainability,” the Saudi minister said.

“There are so many moving parts, there are so many unknowns, there are things that you think have become a reality, but then you wake up in the next morning and the reality is no longer a reality.”

Novak says the market faces a 12 million barrel shortfall

For his part, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak described the current crisis in the international oil market as unprecedented, with no parallel even in the 20th century.

Novak said Russia would deal with the Western sanctions imposed on it with flexibility and complete calm, given its position as a key supplier of energy resources to the international market.

He warned of a large, hidden shortfall in global supply, estimated at about 12 million barrels per day that are currently not reaching the market.

He said global markets had not yet felt the full impact of the energy crisis caused by the Middle East conflict because the situation was being managed through withdrawals from surplus reserve inventories.

Novak cautioned that if the conflict continues and Gulf states delay increasing production, the market will face an acute and immediate physical shortage of supplies within a few months.

In his analysis of the producers’ alliance, Novak stressed that the OPEC+ agreement remains a key driver of energy market direction.

He said its members control more than 50% of global production and more than 40% of total exports, adding that the agreements have proven highly efficient at curbing volatility and reducing market fluctuations.

Novak said current data gave countries an opportunity to accelerate compliance, describing the existing approach as a “standard and normal course” that allows countries that had previously exceeded their quotas for any reason to implement compensation plans for their earlier overproduction more quickly.

On Russia, Novak said technical analytical calculations to determine Russia’s maximum production ceiling are continuing in cooperation with the companies concerned, and would be discussed with partners by the end of 2026.

He expected Moscow to effectively reach its assigned production levels this year under the agreed quotas, despite current output being slightly lower than at the start of the year because several refineries were undergoing “emergency and unscheduled maintenance.”

Expectations of strong demand

OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais said the organization expects robust oil demand growth and would not change its estimates despite the conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

“Despite all the commentary out ⁠there that oil demand is declining, we have not registered signs of that yet,” Al Ghais said.

“We still see robust demand growth at 1.2 million barrels a day for this year,” he said.

He also said investment in the oil sector should not be affected by "one-off events" that may occur anywhere in the world.

Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi told the session that renewable energy is a top priority to reduce dependence on natural gas. He said Egypt is working hard to increase electricity generation from wind and hydropower to secure a sustainable energy mix.

Markets hold their breath before the Sunday marathon

The remarks made at the forum on Thursday carry major significance as a prelude and practical indicator of the direction of leading producers ahead of decisive oil-related meetings next Sunday.

That day will see three consecutive meetings, beginning with OPEC’s administrative conference, followed by the 66th meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee, or JMMC, which is responsible for monitoring compliance levels, consensus, and the approval of current compensation plans.

Investors are closely watching the 41st ministerial meeting of the OPEC+ alliance. Informed sources said the alliance is likely to approve an additional gradual increase in its targets for next July.

Business

OPEC Secretary General: Oil Demand to Remain Robust, No Change to Estimates

OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais attends the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg on June 4, 2026. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP)
OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais attends the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg on June 4, 2026. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP)
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OPEC Secretary General: Oil Demand to Remain Robust, No Change to Estimates

OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais attends the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg on June 4, 2026. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP)
OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais attends the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg on June 4, 2026. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP)

OPEC expects robust oil demand growth and is not changing its estimates, Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais said on Thursday at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, despite the Middle East conflict and closure of the ⁠Strait of Hormuz.

"Despite ⁠all the commentary out there that oil demand is declining, we have not registered signs of that yet," ⁠Reuters quoted Al Ghais as saying.

"We still see robust demand growth at 1.2 million barrels a day for this year," he said.

He also said that investments in the oil industry should not be affected by "one-off events" that happen ⁠anywhere ⁠in the world.

"We need to invest well ahead of time to be prepared for the demand that we see in the future," he said.

Business

Egypt Plans to List More State-owned Companies, Replace In-kind Subsidies with Cash

Headquarters of the Central Bank of Egypt in downtown Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Headquarters of the Central Bank of Egypt in downtown Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt Plans to List More State-owned Companies, Replace In-kind Subsidies with Cash

Headquarters of the Central Bank of Egypt in downtown Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Headquarters of the Central Bank of Egypt in downtown Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt aims to list four to five state-owned companies on the Cairo stock exchange before the end of the year as part of its state asset sales strategy, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Thursday.

The government also plans to shift from in-kind subsidies to cash subsidies during the coming financial year, as part of efforts to improve the targeting of social support, Madbouly said at a press conference, Reuters reported.

It does not aim to reduce the monetary value of subsidies but rather ensure they reach those entitled to receive them, he added.

More than 60 million people receive subsidised essential commodities through state-run outlets, while at least 10 million others benefit from subsidised bread.