By Abdullahi Lukman
Saudi Arabia is accelerating its shift towards renewable energy, with operating capacity rising more than 63-fold since 2020 to 19.3 gigawatts in 2026, according to the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center’s Saudi Arabia Renewables Tracker.
Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Francesco La Camera, said the Kingdom was expanding its solar and wind sectors while exploring green hydrogen as part of efforts to diversify its energy mix and strengthen its position in the global energy market.
Speaking to Arab News on Monday at the 25th WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh, La Camera attributed the country’s progress to favourable natural conditions, competitive production costs and its commitment to energy diversification.
He said Saudi Arabia could generate solar electricity at a cost of about 1.1 US cents per kilowatt-hour, making it one of the most cost-competitive locations for renewable power generation.
The Kingdom aims to increase its renewable energy capacity to between 100 and 130 gigawatts by 2030 under its Vision 2030 programme, while targeting net-zero emissions by 2060.
La Camera said renewable energy was increasingly important not only for reducing emissions but also for improving energy security and economic competitiveness, particularly amid global supply disruptions and regional tensions.
He noted that countries were increasingly recognising renewable power as a strategic resource because of its relatively low generation costs and potential to reduce dependence on conventional energy sources.
Despite the expansion of renewables, the IRENA chief said oil and natural gas would remain part of the global energy mix for years to come.
He stressed that continued investment in conventional energy resources would be necessary to maintain reliable supplies as renewable capacity grows.
According to La Camera, a gradual transition would allow renewable energy to progressively meet rising demand while helping the world move towards the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
He also commended Saudi Arabia’s national energy strategy for addressing electrification, renewable technologies and supply-chain challenges, describing these areas as important to the transformation of the global energy sector.
La Camera further said the Kingdom’s hosting of the congress amid regional tensions demonstrated international solidarity with Saudi Arabia.
His remarks highlight the country’s efforts to maintain its influence in global energy markets while expanding its renewable energy sector and adapting to changing patterns of energy production and consumption.
