Saudi Electricity Company Targets Net Zero Emissions by 2050

SEC acknowledged its role in addressing climate change and achieving carbon neutrality despite its tremendous contributions to providing electric power - SPA
SEC acknowledged its role in addressing climate change and achieving carbon neutrality despite its tremendous contributions to providing electric power - SPA
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Saudi Electricity Company Targets Net Zero Emissions by 2050

SEC acknowledged its role in addressing climate change and achieving carbon neutrality despite its tremendous contributions to providing electric power - SPA
SEC acknowledged its role in addressing climate change and achieving carbon neutrality despite its tremendous contributions to providing electric power - SPA

The Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), the largest producer, transmitter, and distributor of electrical energy in the Middle East and North Africa, announced that it seeks to reach net zero emissions by 2050 in line with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s endeavor to reach carbon neutrality by 2060 through the circular carbon economy approach, SPA reported.

The announcement was made during a special event SEC organized Tuesday on the sidelines of the United Nations COP28 climate-change summit in Dubai, during which the company said that it has laid the foundation of environmental practices that seek to reduce emissions through projects to raise energy efficiency, as well as developing the electricity transmission network into a smart network, with clean energy, renewable energy stations, and the smart meter project.

In line with its endeavor to achieve carbon neutrality, SEC said it has signed seven agreements and MoUs with leading local and international companies, including one with the Net Zero Technology Center (NZTC) and global professional services company Accenture to enhance solutions that help reduce carbon emissions in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

The agreement, which is part of SEC’s endeavors toward environmental sustainability, seeks to leverage digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) to contribute to reducing carbon emissions.
Under the agreement, SEC will collaborate with its partners to develop and launch a Center of Excellence for Sustainability, with the goal of developing solutions to reduce carbon emissions.

The company will also work with its partners to promote national innovation and entrepreneurship and develop local competencies.

“This day marks a milestone in our journey towards a sustainable future, as the Saudi Electricity Company proudly collaborates with NZTC and Accenture to establish a Center of Excellence for Sustainability,” SEC stated in a press release.

The cooperation between SEC, NZTC, and Accenture “demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to achieving decarburization targets throughout the Middle East,” said the release.



‘Archaeological Masterpieces’ Stolen from Dutch Museum

FILE PHOTO: A decorated bracelet is displayed at the opening of "Antique Gold and Silver of Romania" exhibition at Romania's National History Museum in Bucharest December 19, 2013. REUTERS/Bogdan Cristel/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A decorated bracelet is displayed at the opening of "Antique Gold and Silver of Romania" exhibition at Romania's National History Museum in Bucharest December 19, 2013. REUTERS/Bogdan Cristel/File Photo
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‘Archaeological Masterpieces’ Stolen from Dutch Museum

FILE PHOTO: A decorated bracelet is displayed at the opening of "Antique Gold and Silver of Romania" exhibition at Romania's National History Museum in Bucharest December 19, 2013. REUTERS/Bogdan Cristel/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A decorated bracelet is displayed at the opening of "Antique Gold and Silver of Romania" exhibition at Romania's National History Museum in Bucharest December 19, 2013. REUTERS/Bogdan Cristel/File Photo

Three gold bracelets and a helmet featured in an exhibition at The Drents Museum in Assen, Netherlands, were stolen on Friday night after thieves stormed the museum using an explosive device.

The exhibition, “Dacia - Empire of Gold and Silver,” presented a loaned artistic pieces from Romania. It was scheduled to continue until the end of the week.

However, police received a report around 3:45 am local time Saturday about an explosion at the museum. Upon arrival, officers found the museum damaged and the gold masterpieces gone.

The stolen artifacts — described by the museum as “archaeological masterpieces” — include the golden helmet of Cotofenesti, a famed relic that dates back to roughly 450 BC.

Historian Dimitri Tilloi-d'Ambrosi said the helmet is a “jewel” and represented one of the precious artifacts that were displayed in the exhibition. He added that Dacia was a strong kingdom north of the Danube, and was famous for gold and silver mines.

The museum’s director, Harry Tupan, said the institution had never seen “such a major incident” in its 170-year history.

“This is a dark day for the Drents Museum in Assen and the National History Museum of Romania in Bucharest. We are intensely shocked,” he said.

The museum’s premises were damaged by the explosion, though no injuries were reported. It remained closed through the weekend due to the robbery.

Dutch police announced that they are working with global police agency Interpol. Investigators are currently looking for information about a gray car that was stolen from the nearby city of Alkmaar earlier in the week and was discovered around four miles from the crime scene, on fire, shortly after the overnight heist.

Police believe the suspects abandoned the vehicle, which had stolen license plates, and fled in a different getaway car.

Dutch authorities contacted the Romanian government to investigate the case.