Special event will promote awareness of renewable energy
Special event will promote awareness of renewable energy/node/2575511/saudi-arabia
Special event will promote awareness of renewable energy
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The event will feature a variety of other scientific activities and experiments. (SPA)
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The event will feature a variety of other scientific activities and experiments. (SPA)
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Visitors will be able to watch exclusive film screenings, attend engaging scientific presentations, and learn about nuclear and renewable energy and their benefits. (SPA)
Special event will promote awareness of renewable energy
Visitors can enjoy scientific activities and experiments, watch exclusive films, attend presentations and learn more about nuclear and renewable energy
Updated 36 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: A family event at the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy’s Mishkat Interactive Center will raise awareness of nuclear and renewable energy sources, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
Visitors can enjoy scientific activities and experiments, watch exclusive films, attend presentations and learn more about nuclear and renewable energy, their benefits, and their economic implications for the future of the Kingdom.
Taking place from Oct. 17-19, the initiative is part of the King Abdullah City’s efforts to raise awareness about energy issues, enhance national human capital and equip young individuals with the skills needed to become leaders in the global energy sector.
By fostering awareness, education and training, the city aims to cultivate an advanced, sustainable, knowledge-based society capable of innovation and progress.
Envoy highlights Saudi-Spanish ties at National Day reception
Ambassador Jorge Hevia Sierra emphasized the “strong connection and mutual sympathy” between Saudis and Spaniards
Updated 22 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The Embassy of Spain recently hosted a National Day reception at the ambassador’s residence in Riyadh.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Jorge Hevia Sierra emphasized the “strong connection and mutual sympathy” between Saudis and Spaniards.
He also highlighted the enhanced bilateral relations, marked by several high-level visits over the past year, including Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s visit to Jeddah in April 2024 and the meeting between foreign ministers Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Jose Manuel Albares in Madrid in September 2024, where they reviewed relations and discussed efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.
The ambassador noted that the Spanish National Day traditionally celebrates the unique characteristics of each region.
“The king of Spain, the government led by the prime minister and the presidents of each of the autonomous communities preside (over) a military parade in the streets of Madrid that showcases the different units of the Spanish army and ends, if the weather allows it, with an air exhibition. Afterward, the king hosts a reception for the diplomatic corps and different national authorities” Hevia said.
“In Saudi Arabia, we usually invite local authorities, members of the diplomatic corps, and businessmen with interests in mutual economic relations, as well as our Spanish community,” he added.
“It is also an opportunity to celebrate the work of our embassy staff and their families,” the ambassador said.
On Oct. 12, Spain’s National Day, Spaniards commemorate a significant moment in their history — the arrival of Christopher Columbus to America in 1492.
The national day event was attended by Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudairy, the Riyadh region undersecretary; Abdulmajeed Al-Smari, deputy minister for protocol affairs; Ibrahim Al-Mubarak, assistant minister of investment; and several other members of the diplomatic corps.
7.1 million cases of natural vegetation regeneration have been recorded
Updated 13 min 38 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has announced that the government has planted over 95 million trees since the launch of the Saudi Green Initiative in 2021.
These efforts, in partnership with private and nonprofit bodies, have rehabilitated 111,000 hectares of degraded land and are protecting 4.3 million hectares under restoration, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
Additionally, 7.1 million cases of natural vegetation regeneration have been recorded, showing progress in expanding the Kingdom’s green cover.
So far, 121 partners from various sectors have contributed to afforestation efforts, supporting national goals aligned with the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030.
These initiatives help reduce carbon emissions, improve quality of life, and combat climate change, the SPA reported.
The center also focuses on protecting and rehabilitating vegetation, combating illegal logging, and sustainably managing rangelands, forests, and national parks. These efforts aim to ensure sustainable vegetation cover for future generations.
KKIA to become first Asia-Pacific-Middle East airport to join Net Zero Roadmap
KKIA will become the first international airport in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East to participate in the Net Zero Roadmap program
Updated 19 min 59 sec ago
Hebshi Alshammari
RIYADH: Riyadh Airports Co., which manages and operates King Khalid International Airport, has signed an agreement with Airports Council International Asia-Pacific and Middle East to strive for net zero carbon emissions by 2050, aiming to promote sustainable aviation.
According to the agreement, KKIA will become the first international airport in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East to participate in the Net Zero Roadmap program.
Net Zero Roadmap is an on-demand service complementing the Airport Carbon Accreditation, creating structured plans, including carbon footprint projections, governance frameworks, and recommendations across areas like assets, fuels, and operations.
The agreement was signed by Ayman bin Abdulaziz AbuAbah, CEO of RAC, and Stefano Baronci, director-general of Airports Council International for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.
The agreement highlights KKIA’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and sets new standards for sustainable aviation practices.
This ambitious move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 goals, which emphasize sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
With the launch of the Saudi Green Initiative in 2021, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the Kingdom’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
He emphasized that this goal will be pursued through a circular carbon economy.
A key aspect of the agreement is the onsite assessment, which focuses on thoroughly evaluating and analyzing the specific site conditions. This process involves data collection, consultations with experts, and a comprehensive understanding of the environment, all aimed at facilitating informed decision-making in the subsequent phases.
Commenting on the agreement AbuAbah said: “It establishes us as the first airport to achieve this milestone, showcasing our progress in carbon accreditation and commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable aviation in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of carbon neutrality by 2060.
“Our efforts reflect a broader commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship, which we believe are crucial for the long-term success and resilience of our industry. We are proud to be at the forefront of this important initiative and look forward to collaborating with our partners to drive meaningful change in reducing the environmental impact of air travel.”
Baronci expressed his enthusiasm about the agreement, saying: “This partnership marks a significant milestone in our collective journey toward sustainable aviation. It not only demonstrates King Khalid International Airport’s leadership in environmental stewardship but also sets a powerful example for airports across Asia and the Middle East. The commitment shown by Riyadh Airports Co. reflects our shared dedication to environmental sustainability, with the ambitious yet crucial goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”
Crown prince oversees signing of Saudi-Egypt council during visit to meet with El-Sisi
Prince Mohammed, El-Sisi held discussion session in presence of delegation of both countries
Crown prince sent a cable of thanks to El-Sisi on his departure from Cairo
Updated 16 October 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The Saudi Royal Court announced on Tuesday that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Egypt.
During his visit, Prince Mohammed will hold talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who received the crown prince on arrival.
The discussions will center on enhancing bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as well as addressing key issues of mutual concern.
The crown prince and El-Sisi held a discussion session in the presence of the two countries’ delegations, Saudi Press Agency reported.
They also witnessed the signing of the formation of the Saudi-Egyptian Supreme Coordination Council and the agreement to encourage and protect mutual investments between the Kingdom and Egypt.
The crown prince sent a cable of thanks to El-Sisi on his departure from Cairo.
He expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality and reception he and his delegation received during their visit, SPA reported.
He highlighted that the discussions held with the recipient have reaffirmed the strong ties between their two countries and their mutual desire to enhance cooperation across various fields.
The crown prince also emphasized the commitment to continued coordination on issues of common interest under the leadership of King Salman and El-Sisi and concluded by wishing the Egyptian president good health and success, and the people of Egypt continued prosperity.
Solar companies gather in Riyadh to advance Kingdom’s net zero plan
“This event shone a spotlight on the impressive initiatives driving the Kingdom and the broader MENA region toward net zero, with both private and government sectors playing pivotal roles”
Updated 16 October 2024
Haifa Alshammari
RIYADH: Solar power companies from around the world are gathering in Riyadh to cultivate new opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s path to net zero, during the Solar & Storage Live KSA exhibition.
NEOM Green Hydrogen Co. was one of the major organizations that attended the event.
“It’s always inspiring to be surrounded by our industry peers and partners, and I was thrilled to be asked to participate in the keynote interview,” said Wesam Al-Ghamdi, CEO of NEOM Green Hydrogen Co.
Wesam Alghamdi, CEO of NEOM Green Hydrogen Company. (Supplied)
“I was also very happy to see the enthusiasm around NGHC’s project. The excitement about our progress toward becoming fully operational by the end of 2026 was palpable.
“This event shone a spotlight on the impressive initiatives driving the Kingdom and the broader MENA region toward net zero, with both private and government sectors playing pivotal roles.”
Solar power has emerged as a leading contender in the race for sustainable energy solutions, as the world shifts towards renewable energy sources.
Al-Ghamdi elaborated on how the solar energy system works at the company. “NGHC doesn’t produce its own solar panels, those are produced by our partners at Sungrow,” he said.
“Located in NEOM, we benefit from an optimal environment for solar energy generation, with nearly guaranteed sunlight throughout the year.
“Our solar garden will feature an impressive 5.6 million solar panels, generating up to 2.2 GW of solar energy to power our facility.”
He added: “Together with our wind farm, this renewable energy infrastructure will enable us to produce up to 600 tonnes of green hydrogen (daily) by the time we are fully operational at the end of 2026.”
Solar energy is produced through the collection of sunlight using photovoltaic panels. This technology has seen remarkable advancements over the past decade, drastically reducing costs and improving efficiency.
These lower costs make solar power an affordable energy source for many people, thus an excellent option for both developed and developing countries.
One of the biggest players in solar power is China. The country is investing heavily in solar infrastructure not only for its economic benefit but for the environmental impact it provides.
Operating worldwide, BSL BATT is a Chinese company that produces battery storage systems, including storage for solar power.
Although BSL BATT has been operating in various countries within the Middle East, they are aiming to penetrate the Saudi solar market and develop their relations even further in the Kingdom, BSL BATT EMEA’s sales manager, Russel Tong, told Arab News.
Battery storage systems are critical in making solar power a feasible supply of electricity, as stored energy can be released overnight resulting in a round-the-clock supply when solar panels are not harvesting energy from the sun.
The combination of solar power and storage not only supports environmental sustainability but also drives economic growth, as evidenced by Saudi Arabia’s growing solar power industry.
As the Kingdom ramps up its solar power capacity, targeting a total of 130GW of renewable energy by 2030, economic opportunities are also on the rise.
