I'm glad that one of the sunniest regions on Earth is taking tangible efforts to transition away from fossil fuels by using more solar power. It's important for governments to make investments...
I'm glad that one of the sunniest regions on Earth is taking tangible efforts to transition away from fossil fuels by using more solar power. It's important for governments to make investments like this.
Saudi Arabia's largest renewable energy project, the 2.6 GW Al Shuaibah solar plant, is moving ahead after completing financing [of Riyals 8.3 billion ($2.2 billion)] led by the National Development Fund on Aug. 20. [...] It is expected to start commercial operation in 2025.
[...]
The country has 13 renewable energy projects under development with a collective capacity of 11.3 GW. Badeel is developing a total of five projects with a total capacity of 8 GW and over $6 billion of investment.
For reference, Saudi Arabia has a nominal generating capacity of about 83 GW as of 2021. So 11.3 GW isn't nothing, but it's not that great either.
Saudi Arabia is unlikely to achieve its renewable targets [of 27.3 GW (20 GW of solar PV and 7 GW of wind)] for this year, with less than 3 GW of projects operational. [...] The 2020 target was also missed. The next goal is set at 58.7 GW (40 GW of solar PV, 16 GW of wind and 2.7 GW of CSP) by 2030.
3 GW out of 83 GW is abysmal. It's disappointing, but unsurprising, that a state so reliant on fossil fuels has been slow to adopt renewable energy as an alternative.
I'm sure that this looks good to the rest of the world didn't hurt the calculations behind it, but really solar seems like a no-brainer in that part of the world and a sound investment to...
I'm sure that this looks good to the rest of the world didn't hurt the calculations behind it, but really solar seems like a no-brainer in that part of the world and a sound investment to translate that fossil fuel money into long term stability. Can't blame you for being suspicious though with how aggressive they've been with trying to clean up their image.
It would be valuable if you expanded on this thought! I am not sure what "greenwashing" is happening. Solar power is a renewable and low-emissions way to generate electricity. Saudi Arabia happens...
It would be valuable if you expanded on this thought!
I am not sure what "greenwashing" is happening. Solar power is a renewable and low-emissions way to generate electricity. Saudi Arabia happens to be constructing more solar infrastructure. It is clearly not enough, and they've missed several net-zero targets so far, as the article and my summary both point out. This isn't a politically pro-Saudi thread, it's just a news item that a place very suited for solar and traditionally reliant on fossil fuels is starting to make changes in the right direction.
Unlike many of their pointless conceptual megaprojects, this is an actual infrastructure investment whose funding has been allocated. SA is an actual country with a budget. This is not propaganda.
I'm glad that one of the sunniest regions on Earth is taking tangible efforts to transition away from fossil fuels by using more solar power. It's important for governments to make investments like this.
[...]
For reference, Saudi Arabia has a nominal generating capacity of about 83 GW as of 2021. So 11.3 GW isn't nothing, but it's not that great either.
3 GW out of 83 GW is abysmal. It's disappointing, but unsurprising, that a state so reliant on fossil fuels has been slow to adopt renewable energy as an alternative.
This feels like green washing
I'm sure that this looks good to the rest of the world didn't hurt the calculations behind it, but really solar seems like a no-brainer in that part of the world and a sound investment to translate that fossil fuel money into long term stability. Can't blame you for being suspicious though with how aggressive they've been with trying to clean up their image.
It would be valuable if you expanded on this thought!
I am not sure what "greenwashing" is happening. Solar power is a renewable and low-emissions way to generate electricity. Saudi Arabia happens to be constructing more solar infrastructure. It is clearly not enough, and they've missed several net-zero targets so far, as the article and my summary both point out. This isn't a politically pro-Saudi thread, it's just a news item that a place very suited for solar and traditionally reliant on fossil fuels is starting to make changes in the right direction.
Unlike many of their pointless conceptual megaprojects, this is an actual infrastructure investment whose funding has been allocated. SA is an actual country with a budget. This is not propaganda.