Saudi Arabia to experience scorching heat through the month
Temperatures expected to surge to 50 C in late July and early August
Riyadh and the Eastern Province are expected to experience extreme heat
Updated 02 July 2024
Rashid Hassan
RIYADH: Temperatures in Saudi Arabia are expected to rise to 50 degrees Celsius in late July and early August.
Riyadh and cities in the Eastern Province were on the meteorological department’s high alert over the searing heat forecast for the month, with the maximum temperature soaring to 44 C in Riyadh and 47 C in Dammam on Tuesday.
According to the National Center of Meteorology, temperatures across Saudi Arabia are expected to remain high this month. From Monday, July 1, until next Friday, July 12, 2024, Riyadh and the Eastern Province are expected to experience extreme heat, with maximum temperatures surging to 47 C in Riyadh and 49-50 C in Dammam.
Similar conditions are forecast for parts of Makkah and Madinah, with temperatures surging to 42-45 C.
The NCM forecasts that heatwave conditions will persist throughout the month and continue until the first week of August. The authority issued a severe weather warning, or orange alert, in some areas including Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and the Makkah region.
An orange alert means that high temperatures are expected and that prolonged exposure to the sun could likely result in heat-related illnesses.
In areas where an orange alert has been issued, doctors recommend drinking plenty of water even when not thirsty, along with oral rehydration solutions or electrolyte replenishments and homemade summer drinks like laban, lemon water, and fruit juices.
Dr. Abdullah Ahmed, who works at a hospital in Riyadh, told Arab News: “Homemade drinks such as lemonade or coriander mint water are effective remedies that not only keep you hydrated but also offer various health benefits. By taking these simple precautions and consuming these refreshing drinks, you can enjoy a healthier summer season.”
The NCM also forecast that high-speed winds will affect some parts of the Kingdom including Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province.
Meanwhile, a climate expert has warned that temperatures in Saudi Arabia are expected to soar above 50 C in late July and early August.
Abdulaziz Al-Mazrui, the head of a climate change research center at King Abdulaziz University, underscored the severity of the impending heatwave and urged residents and authorities to prepare for the scorching heat during the peak summer season in the Kingdom.
Iffat Aabroo, a Riyadh resident, told Arab News: “Even early in the morning, you don’t feel comfortable going for a walk or doing any work. As the day progress, the air conditioning at home does not work properly when you have high temperatures.”
Syed Wasiuzzaman, an Alkhobar resident, told Arab News: “We are experiencing very high temperatures in the Eastern Province. It was 43 degrees in the morning at 9 a.m. when I was going to the office. As the day progressed, it surged to 47 degrees, making the day uncomfortable.”
King Salman: Vision 2030 has made Saudi Arabia global model for transformation
Updated 8 min 30 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s achievements in less than a decade under the Vision 2030 program has made it a global model for transformation, King Salman said on Friday.
Speaking on the ninth anniversary of the announcement of the Kingdom’s widespread economic and social reforms, the king said the country will continue together the construction process to achieve more sustainable development for future generations.
“We praise God for the remarkable progress our nation has achieved in less than a decade – progress that has positioned Saudi Arabia as a global benchmark for transformation, he said.
“We take great pride in the unwavering dedication of our citizens, whose efforts have laid the foundations for a new era of growth. Together, we carry the journey of progress forward, united in shaping the future of our country for generations to come,” he added.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said he was proud of what the nation had achieved under the program and that there was renewed determination to strengthen Saudi Arabia's position as a leading country in the world.
“Nine years into Vision 2030, we stand proud of what our people have accomplished, Prince Mohammed said.
“They have turned ambition into action and goals into milestones. We have not only met key targets – we have surpassed many.
“Looking ahead, our resolve is stronger than ever. We will accelerate delivery, embrace every opportunity, and further elevate the Kingdom’s position as a global leader,” he added.
He said the Kingdom had achieved its targets and exceeded some of them, and will continue towards the goals for 2030.
A report released by the government to coincide with the anniversary said 85 per cent of the more than 1,500 Vision 2030 initiatives had been completed or are on track.
Eight goals of the program had been achieved six years ahead of time.
The Kingdom’s unemployment rate had dropped to a historic low, achieving the 2030 target of 7 percent and 2.4 million Saudi men and women now work in the private sector.
The private sector’s contribution to Saudi Arabia’s GDP has exceeded the 2024 target and the assets of the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) have more than tripled since Vision 2030 was launched.
The report said Saudi Arabia has advanced 20 places in the Global Competitiveness Index to 16th place. Saudi household ownership had reached more than 65 percent, exceeding the 2025 target.
International tourism revenues increased by 148 percent compared to 2019 and the agricultural sector has increased its contribution to the GDP, reaching 114 billion riyals.
Education has also been boosted with four Saudi universities now ranked among the top 500 universities in the world.
Saudi Signage and Labelling Expo returns to Riyadh
Expo runs from May 20-22 at Riyadh Exhibition Center hosting over 150 exhibitors from 15 countries
Event will be held alongside newly launched Saudi Paper and Packaging Expo
Updated 25 April 2025
RIYADH: The Saudi Signage and Labelling Expo, the Middle East’s leading event for the digital, print, graphic and imaging sectors, returns to Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center from May 20–22.
Exhibition organizer dmg events told Arab News that the event remains the Kingdom’s largest platform for industry professionals to connect, source new solutions and drive business growth in the signage and labeling sectors.
Co-located with the newly launched Saudi Paper and Packaging Expo, the events bring together over 14,000 industry professionals to explore the latest products, technologies and services shaping the signage, labeling, print and packaging industries.
As a response to the Kingdom’s evolving demand for signage and packaging industries, the events come at a time when the country’s signage market is projected to reach $492 million by 2027, driven by increased adoption across retail, hospitality, transportation, healthcare and corporate environments. At the same time, the paper and paperboard packaging market is estimated to hit $2.84 billion by 2029.
With businesses working towards capitalizing on this upward trajectory, the events will showcase more than 150 exhibitors from over 15 countries including Germany, Turkiye, China, India, Taiwan and Italy, highlighting over 2,500 products and services.
“Building on the success of the inaugural event last year, the expo has expanded by 80 percent to meet the growing demand for unique and progressive solutions in the signage, print and branding sectors,” said Muhammed Kazi, senior vice president of construction at dmg events.
“With the addition of Saudi Paper and Packaging Expo, we are creating a comprehensive marketplace that addresses the industry’s evolving needs, offering visitors and exhibitors an unparalleled platform for business growth and innovation,” he added.
The event will host leading international and regional exhibitors, including CMYK, offering advanced printing solutions; Digital Star Machinery and Equipments, specializing in signage production technology; Desert Sign Arabia, a key player in large-format printing; Alnab Almoudeei Trading, a distributor of digital printing materials; and Euro Media, known for high-quality graphic and imaging solutions.
The Saudi Paper and Packaging Expo brings together leading brands such as APP Sinarmas, a global supplier of paper-based solutions; Tetra Pak, a pioneer in food and beverage packaging; and Saudi Paper Group, a regional leader in tissue and packaging materials.
The event will highlight advancements in sustainable packaging, flexible printing and automation, allowing businesses to explore new solutions and partnerships.
Saudi Arabia launches pavilion at Muscat International Book Fair
Literature commission highlights ‘deep cultural bonds’ with Oman
Will connect Saudi, global publishers, says CEO Abdullatif Al-Wasel
Updated 25 April 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission has inaugurated Saudi Arabia’s pavilion at the 2025 Muscat International Book Fair, which is running until May 3.
Abdullatif Al-Wasel, CEO of the commission, in a statement, said of the event which started on Thursday: “The Saudi participation reflects the deep cultural bonds between Saudi Arabia and Oman.
“The commission seeks to strengthen collaboration in literature, publishing and translation fields, highlighting the cultural vitality and knowledge advancement flourishing in both nations.”
Al-Wasel said the fair creates significant opportunities for the book industry by connecting Saudi Arabia’s publishers with their international counterparts.
The participants at the fair include the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, and the King Abdulaziz Public Library.
Also present are the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur’an, the Publishing Association, and Taibah University.
The participation aligns with Saudi Arabia’s efforts to enhance cultural ties with Oman while promoting cultural-sector investment opportunities, Al-Wasel stated.
The Kingdom’s pavilion will feature a program of literary seminars, panel discussions, and poetry evenings featuring prominent Saudi Arabia intellectuals and writers.
How Saudi Arabia can balance its AI infrastructure and sustainable water usage
While AI’s energy demands are widely known, its vast and growing water footprint remains largely out of sight
Experts urge early-stage planning and water-smart designs to reduce risk and future-proof AI growth in arid climates
Updated 25 April 2025
Ghadi Joudah
RIYADH: Artificial intelligence has opened up remarkable new possibilities — but beneath its sleek, digital surface lies an overlooked environmental cost: Water.
While debates over AI’s energy demands have captured headlines, its vast and growing water footprint remains largely out of sight. That blind spot, experts warn, could carry serious consequences.
Salah Al-Kafrawi, senior consultant at EY for data and AI, told Arab News: “We have no universal approach to assess how much water is consumed while using or training AI,” leaving the true scale of the problem poorly understood.
Although a few tech firms publish rough water usage estimates, most businesses — from e-commerce to aviation — remain unaware of their consumption. “Many aren’t even aware of their water footprint,” Al-Kafrawi said
Even available data likely underestimates reality by a factor of 10 or more. In a world facing increasing water scarcity, AI’s mounting thirst is a silent crisis — one that demands innovation, transparency and smarter systems.
AI’s water usage is complex. It includes both direct consumption, such as cooling servers, and indirect usage tied to the electricity that powers them.
“AI requires significant data for training and evaluation, along with electricity to operate and cooling systems to prevent overheating,” Al-Kafrawi said.
That electricity often comes from water-intensive power sources. Coal-fired and nuclear plants, for instance, consume “millions of gallons of water daily” for steam production and cooling — a hidden environmental cost rarely accounted for in sustainability reports.
Meanwhile, data centers use vast amounts of water to stop their servers from overheating.
An artist's rendition of the data center of KAUST. (KAUST photo)
“Data centers often use water cooling towers to dissipate heat generated by their servers,” said Al-Kafrawi, noting this creates “another significant source of water usage.”
This leads to a vicious cycle: AI requires power, power generates heat, and cooling that heat requires more water.
“The combination of water needed for electricity generation and cooling systems means that AI’s water footprint extends far beyond what might be immediately apparent,” Al-Kafrawi said.
In Saudi Arabia, where water is scarce and AI infrastructure is booming, managing this balance is becoming increasingly urgent.
Abdulelah Al-Shehri, assistant professor of chemical engineering at King Saud University, said that most global data centers rely on potable water — despite its scarcity.
“Water purity directly affects a system’s lifespan,” he said. Indeed, reclaimed water can risk corrosion and microbial contamination, though efforts to safely reuse non-potable sources are gaining traction.
Most global data centers rely on potable water, putting pressure on scarce supply. (AFP photo)
Currently, most data centers in the Kingdom use hybrid cooling systems.
“Saudi data centers rely on high-efficiency mechanical cooling systems combining air-cooled and water-cooled chillers,” said Al-Shehri, referencing Microsoft’s climate-adaptive guidelines and the Saudi Telecom Company’s 2023 Sustainability Report.
Even these efficient systems come with a significant toll. Al-Shehri said that cooling infrastructure for the country’s 300 MW of operational data centers consumes between 2.3 and 2.8 liters of water per kilowatt-hour.
“If we look at current capacity operating at full load year-round, annual water use would approach 6.7 million cubic meters,” he warned — roughly the same amount used by 160,000 Saudi households each year.
And this is just the beginning. Al-Shehri projected that capacity could more than quadruple to 1,300 MW within five years — putting total water use on par with the needs of 700,000 households.
“These figures only capture direct water use for cooling,” he added. The indirect cost, tied to fossil fuel-based energy production, remains even greater.
Despite the growing demand, Al-Shehri said that there are promising solutions — but they require investment and vision.
“Multiple solutions are emerging to reduce water usage in data center cooling, though investors often hesitate because of the intensive capital investment and costly retrofits.”
Among the most promising ideas is rethinking traditional cooling standards. “Microsoft and Google have piloted these so-called ‘high-temperature data centers,’ which would effectively drive the direct water footprint to zero,” he said.
Raising operating temperatures from 21 degrees Celsius to as high as 35 Celsius allows systems to rely more on air than water.
Other technologies focus on recycling heat. “Absorption chillers can reclaim up to 40 percent of waste heat here and repurpose it for cooling,” said Al-Shehri, pointing to global examples such as Swiss company Infomaniak, which now uses server heat to warm 6,000 homes.
The Swiss company Infomaniak uses absorption chillers to reclaim waste heat, which it then sells to warm 6,000 homes. (X: @infomaniak_de)
There is also the energy mix to consider. “Diversifying energy sources for AI power isn’t a simple swap,” he said. “It hinges on resource availability, proximity to data centers, and the water footprint.”
Research shows that solar and wind are the most water-efficient sources. By contrast, biomass — a widely promoted renewable option — can consume “up to 100 times more water than natural gas,” Al-Shehri said.
Another overlooked cost comes from the treatment and transportation of water itself — a point highlighted by Abdullah Al-Otaibi, Saudi Arabia managing director at global water solutions firm Ecolab.
“Water must be moved, heated, cooled and treated to be fit for business use, which requires energy,” Al-Otaibi told Arab News. He framed water and energy as interconnected levers — what scientists call the “water-energy nexus.”
“Water serves a dual purpose in data centers. It cools infrastructure directly and gets consumed indirectly when generating the electricity that powers high-performance computing,” he said.
Failing to manage this interdependency is risky. “Overlooking water creates risk — particularly in regions like Saudi Arabia, where water is scarce, and digital infrastructure is expanding rapidly.”
DID YOU KNOW?
• AI systems consume large volumes of water through energy generation and data center cooling.
• High-temperature data centers and heat-recycling systems offer promising ways to reduce direct water use.
• Experts urge early-stage planning and water-smart designs to reduce risk and future-proof AI growth.
Al-Otaibi said that better data and AI tools can help companies to understand and reduce their water and energy footprints. “With the right data and technologies, businesses can make water use more visible — and more manageable,” he said.
Ecolab’s audits show significant gains are possible. Their tools have helped clients to cut water usage by 44 percent, energy by 22 percent and emissions by 12 percent, all while improving reliability.
“Water efficiency can become a business enabler — supporting uptime and sustainability targets at the same time,” Al-Otaibi said.
With AI infrastructure expanding rapidly across the Gulf, Al-Otaibi urged stakeholders to act now — especially in design stages. “The key is starting early — smart water strategies begin before construction,” he said.
He cited Ecolab’s partnership with global data center operator Digital Realty, where their AI-driven system is expected to reduce water use by up to 15 percent and prevent the withdrawal of 126 million gallons of potable water annually.
For Saudi Arabia, where water is precious and technology ambitions are vast, that kind of efficiency is not just smart — it is essential.
Environment minister leads meeting on Saudi Irrigation Organization’s progress
The board looked at a report on the institution which included performance indicators, achievement rates, and the progress of ongoing projects in various regions of the Kingdom
Updated 24 April 2025
SPA
RIYADH: The Saudi Irrigation Organization’s board of directors held its 24th meeting on Thursday in Riyadh.
The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadli.
The board looked at a report on the institution which included performance indicators, achievement rates, and the progress of ongoing projects in various regions of the Kingdom.
It also looked into updates on activities and initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency of water resource use and boosting agricultural sustainability.
Board members spoke of their appreciation of the wise leadership’s ongoing support, affirming that the significant attention given to the water sector consolidated sustainability factors, and enhanced the institution’s ability to effectively contribute to achieving Saudi Vision 2030.
The meeting concluded with a series of decisions and directives which aim to enhance institutional performance efficiency, and expand partnership possibilities with the relevant entities.
