Saudi Arabia: Start mapping renewable energy exploration

Saudi Arabia recently launched an ambitious project to identify potential locations for the development of renewable energy projects. This project, part of the National Renewable Energy Program, is unprecedented on a global scale in terms of its geographical scope. In fact, it covers over 850,000 square kilometers, an area comparable to the combined area of ​​Great Britain and France or Germany and Spain. Contracts for this project were awarded to Saudi companies, which will be responsible for installing 1,200 solar and wind energy measurement stations in all regions of the Kingdom. Minister of Energy, Prince AbdulAziz bin Salman bin AbdulAziz Al Saud, emphasized the importance of this project in identifying the most promising locations in terms of renewable resources and development priorities.

Project activity and objectives

In the first phase, these stations will collect data on sunlight and wind levels. This key information will allow us to select optimal locations for renewable energy projects. Once these locations have been identified, the stations will be relocated for continuous monitoring, ensuring accurate, real-time data for the project. The solar energy measurement stations will be equipped with state-of-the-art equipment recording various parameters such as direct normal irradiance (DNI), global horizontal irradiance (GHI), diffuse horizontal irradiation (DHI), as well as dust and pollutant deposition. doses, ground radiation (albedo), ambient temperature, rainfall level, relative humidity and atmospheric pressure. Wind energy measurement stations will be installed at various heights, up to 120 meters, and will record wind speed and direction, ambient temperature, atmospheric pressure and relative humidity.

Technological and financial benefits

The project used cutting-edge data collection and analysis technologies, including artificial intelligence, to rank facilities according to their suitability for renewable energy projects. A platform will also be created at the Ministry of Energy to enable continuous monitoring, recording and transmission of data. This enables fast and accurate digital analysis, facilitating the allocation of land for projects and accelerating their announcement and implementation. The Minister pointed out that the availability of this data reduces the risk associated with the implementation of renewable energy projects, increases their attractiveness for investors and encourages participation in the development and investment in these projects. Reducing data collection time from the current 18 to 24 months to immediate availability is a significant advantage for the sector.

Strategic impact and future commitments

This project reaffirms Saudi Arabia’s commitment to achieving ambitious renewable energy production and export goals. It optimizes the use of renewable resources across the Kingdom, supports the Kingdom’s strategic position in the export of renewable electricity and promotes the production of clean hydrogen. The initiative also contributes to the implementation of the objectives of the optimal energy mix program for energy production, which aims for renewable energy sources to constitute approximately 50% of the energy mix by 2030. The project also supports the liquid fuel substitution program, reducing dependence on liquid fuels for energy generation. Starting this year, the Kingdom will launch new renewable energy projects with a capacity of 20 gigawatts per year, with a target of 100 to 130 gigawatts by 2030, depending on growth in electricity demand.
Gratitude was expressed to King Salman bin AbdulAziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin AbdulAziz Al Saud for their continued support to the Ministry of Energy and its initiatives to achieve the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.