Saudi Arabia launched five new renewable energy projects to produce electricity sustainably, as the world's largest exporter of oil pursues a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
The wind and solar projects, which have a total capacity of 3,300 megawatts, were launched by the Saudi Power Procurement Company as a principal buyer, state-run Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
Of the five projects, three will harness wind energy and two will use solar energy.
Total production from the three wind energy projects stands at 1,800mw, with the project in Yanbu having a capacity of 700mw, while the one in Al Ghat at 600mw. A third project in Waad Al-Shamal will have 500mw capacity.
The total capacity of solar projects will be 1,500mw – the project in Al Henakiyah will have a 1,100mw capacity, while one in Tubarjal will produce 400mw.
Saudi Arabia is focusing heavily on renewable energy under its Vision 2030 economic plan.
In December, the kingdom announced plans to invest more than $100 billion in renewable energy projects.
It aims to grow the share of gas and renewable energy in its power mix to 50 per cent by 2030.
The projects are part of the fourth phase of Saudi Arabia's National Renewable Energy Programme that is supervised by the Ministry of Energy
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Power demand in Saudi Arabia, the biggest regional consumer of electricity, is growing rapidly.
Total electricity demand in the kingdom is expected to reach 365.4 terawatt hours (TWh) by 2030, from 299.2 TWh in 2018, according to a report by Riyadh-based King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre.
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