What are the key energy policies to tackle change in Saudi Arabia?

Two key energy policies to tackle change are: energy eficiency and renewable energy. Within this context, this analysis intends to: (1) explore the ongoing energy transition in Saudi Arabia; (2) examine the role of renewable energy in achieving the sustainability goals in Saudi Arabia.

Does Saudi Arabia have an energy eficiency program?

Figure 2: Saudi’s energy transition journey. Source: Authors. One of the first energy eficiency initiatives in the KSA is the launch of the National Energy Eficiency Program in 2003 as a three-year program to improve the man-agement and eficiency of electricity generation and consumption in the kingdom.

Will Saudi Arabia invest $270 billion in low-carbon energy projects?

Saudi Arabia has declared its intention to invest $270 billion in low-carbon energy projects by the year 2030 . Table 3 shows major investment projects in Saudi Arabia for energy transition. Table 3. Overview of major investments in Saudi Arabia's energy transition and RE initiatives RE = renewable energy; SAR = Saudi Riyals.

Why is Saudi Arabia developing alternative energy sources?

Along with joining global forces to addressing climate change and accelerating the needed energy transition, Saudi Arabia is driven by other socio-economic factors to developing alternative energy sources.

How much power does Saudi Arabia need?

Saudi Arabia has established a goal to source at least 50 percent of its power from renewable energy by 2030, expanding its capacity to 130 gigawatts (GW), 58.7 GW of which is expected to come from solar and 40 GW from wind. This target is the most ambitious of its kind among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Figure 1).

Why does Saudi Arabia have a high energy consumption?

Saudi Arabia's elevated per capita energy consumption, considerable electricity generation, expanding energy production and authorized power capacity, governmental backing for energy efficiency campaigns, and considerable prospective benefits from renovating structures underscore its endeavors and obstacles in the energy domain. 1.