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.



Dozens of Exotic Animals Seized at Turkish Border

A woman covers with an umbrella against the rain during a summer storm at Kadikoy ferry terminal in Istanbul, Türkiye, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
A woman covers with an umbrella against the rain during a summer storm at Kadikoy ferry terminal in Istanbul, Türkiye, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
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Dozens of Exotic Animals Seized at Turkish Border

A woman covers with an umbrella against the rain during a summer storm at Kadikoy ferry terminal in Istanbul, Türkiye, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
A woman covers with an umbrella against the rain during a summer storm at Kadikoy ferry terminal in Istanbul, Türkiye, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Turkish customs officials in the northwestern city of Edirne discovered dozens of exotic animals being smuggled into Türkiye from Greece, The Associated Press said.

State-run Anadolu Agency reported that the mid-sized sedan with Greek license plates was carrying three kangaroos, three alpacas and one Patagonian mara in the trunk, and 12 parrots and 23 flying squirrels inside the vehicle. Many of the animals are juveniles.

Photos from the scene show the larger animals bound and squeezed together in tight confinement, while the smaller ones were crowded in cages.

The private Demiroren News Agency identified the driver of the vehicle as Yuksel D., who was subsequently detained by authorities.

All the animals survived and will be delivered to the Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks.