Saudi Energy Minister G20: Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman advocates for energy security and climate change mitigation in Brazil

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman played a central role at the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group in Brazil, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to sustainable energy transitions. At the 7th Energy Transitions Working Group, the 15th Clean Energy Ministerial, and the 9th Mission Innovation Ministerial, he addressed the critical need to balance energy security with economic growth while tackling climate change.

Highlighting Saudi Arabia’s advancements, Prince Abdulaziz discussed the Kingdom’s leadership in clean energy technologies, particularly in the circular carbon economy. He emphasised the country’s ambition to be at the forefront of global efforts to combat climate change through sustainable energy policies. As part of this, Saudi Arabia is scaling up its renewable energy capacity, aiming to reach 44 gigawatts by the end of 2024.

One of the key projects mentioned was the development of a hydrogen production hub at Ras Al-Khair Industrial City. This centre will play a pivotal role in Saudi Arabia’s clean energy push, focusing on hydrogen as an alternative energy source. In addition, a large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) initiative is underway, with an annual capacity to capture nine million tons of carbon by 2027. The Saudi government’s push aligns with the G20’s goal of promoting sustainable energy transitions and environmental sustainability.

At the meetings, discussions revolved around how the global community can implement energy policies that are equitable, ensuring that the benefits of clean energy are distributed fairly. Prince Abdulaziz stressed Saudi Arabia’s leadership in this domain, positioning itself as a global pioneer in transitioning to a low-carbon future while maintaining its economic strength.

He highlighted the Kingdom’s initiatives that integrate climate-friendly technologies with economic development, further positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in the circular carbon economy. This focus is not only about reducing carbon emissions but also about repurposing them for economic use. The Kingdom’s progress in this area reflects the wider ambitions of the Vision 2030 agenda, aiming to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy away from its reliance on oil.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s work on expanding its renewable energy sector is gathering pace, with solar and wind energy projects contributing to the growing capacity. With a target of 44 gigawatts by the end of 2024, the Kingdom is aggressively pushing forward in the renewables market.

Prince Abdulaziz’s participation in these discussions underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to global cooperation on energy issues. He reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia is dedicated to working with international partners to achieve mutual goals related to climate change and energy security. The ongoing projects, such as the hydrogen production hub and the carbon capture initiative, show the Kingdom’s ability to lead in the clean energy sector while contributing to global energy security.

These efforts not only enhance Saudi Arabia’s position on the global stage but also align with G20 objectives, which aim to promote sustainable, equitable energy transitions worldwide. With these initiatives, the Kingdom is showing that it can be both an energy leader and a climate-conscious nation.