The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aims to produce 50 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. (Archive photo from AFP)
Introduction
The story of our global energy landscape is a fascinating one, characterized by evolving patterns of supply and demand. New energy sources, despite their importance, can only drive change if we use them wisely. The transition to energy does not happen overnight; it requires considerable time and effort. History indicates that major shifts in the system can take six to seven decades. Thus, achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 will require tremendous progress in human innovation and technological advancement.
Sustainable Carbon Elimination Plan in Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia presents a compelling roadmap for carbon elimination, demonstrating a sustainable growth model. This is particularly striking given the contrast in its strategies compared to many other countries.
The Kingdom is pursuing significant opportunities to build a strong and sustainable economy. It has set an ambitious target to diversify its energy mix and reduce its carbon footprint, aiming to produce 50 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
The Kingdom has witnessed significant economic growth over the past decades, transforming its economic base and heavily investing in renewable energy sources. The potential available to Saudi Arabia, especially in solar, nuclear, hydrogen, and wind energy, is enormous.
The transition in the Kingdom will not merely be a replacement of the current system but will be about creating a new system. Contemporary solutions will address contemporary challenges.
Sustainable Economic Progress
Innovative and improved energy services are a critical part of sustainable economic growth. Transitioning energy demand towards new forms of supply can accelerate the path to carbon elimination.
Initial shifts can contribute to the evolution of current energy services. Modern innovations are significantly driven by three main research areas: digital technology, nanotechnology, and new energy technologies. These developments are interconnected, and each is essential for the others. Saudi Arabia has already embarked on this crucial journey, but there is much ground to cover. Achieving net-zero emissions by 2060 is an ambitious goal for Saudi Arabia, but it can be realized through swift action and the adoption of modern technologies and advanced consumption patterns.
The second transformation is a generational shift that has already begun. Once emerging generations rise to leadership, they will drive global and regional political changes, reshaping our social fabric and economy. This will stimulate further innovations, advancing energy services and continuing carbon elimination.
Saudi Initiatives for Renewable Energy
Saudi Arabia has launched a series of initiatives to stimulate renewable energy and reduce reliance on oil, such as the National Renewable Energy Program. This program aims to add 27.3 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2024, with a final target of 58.7 gigawatts by 2030. The King Salman Renewable Energy Initiative is another ambitious program aiming to provide 10 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2023.
The Schneider Institute’s sustainability research report indicates 12 shifts in energy services for carbon elimination in Saudi Arabia, including digitizing living environments, innovative changes in construction, transforming transportation and industrial processes to electricity, and sustainable cycles. The adoption of modern technologies and consumption patterns can enhance energy intensity levels and contribute to decarbonizing the country’s economy. Notably, distributed generation through electrification is essential for improving these levels.
Achieving Carbon Elimination in Saudi Arabia
This will require
Achieving carbon neutrality in Saudi Arabia is a profound reshaping of our energy system, a transition that goes beyond merely replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy. It requires rethinking energy services to meet the needs of a constantly evolving world.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has already embarked on this critical journey, but there is still much ground to cover. Achieving net-zero emissions by 2060 is an ambitious goal for Saudi Arabia, but it can be realized through swift action and the adoption of modern technologies and advanced consumption patterns. The transition may be challenging, but the potential rewards for the environment, society, and economy are enormous. It is time to make progress towards a carbon-free future.
• Mohammed Faraj is the Vice President of Digital and Electric Energy Products at Schneider Electric. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this section are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of Arab News.
Leave a Reply