Renewable Energy in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Opportunities and Prospects

Abstract

Saudi Arabia is one of a handful of countries that burn crude oil directly for power generation. Almost 60% of electricity is generated through oil and rest through the natural gas. Saudi Arabia is selling the oil at cheapest ever price in international market. If continued this way the Kingdom may face oil reserves depletion in coming decades. Saudi Arabia has a lot of capacity in renewable energies i.e. solar, wind, geothermal, and waste to energy resources. Saudi Arabia, therefore, should conserve its oil reserves in order to maintain its vital role as a respected major supplier of energy globally whilst also ensuring the long term prosperity and energy security of the Kingdom. This can be achieved if reliance of electricity production on oil is minimized in future. The paper analyzes the opportunities and prospects of renewable energy sources for Electricity production in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.