Saudi Arabia: renewable energies on course for 2030

Saudi Arabia is accelerating the diversification of its energy mix, targeting 130 GW of renewable capacity by 2030 to meet its growing demand for electricity.

Share:

Arabie Saoudite énergie renouvelable 2030

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Initiated in 2016, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 represented a major strategic turning point to reduce the kingdom’s dependence on oil by diversifying its economy and, in particular, its energy mix. Initially, the plan called for the deployment of 9.5 GW of renewable energy by 2030. However, in view of the growing demand for energy and the imperatives of sustainable development, the target has been significantly revised to 130 GW by 2023. This ambitious revision reflects not only a desire for energy transition, but also alignment with global targets for reducing carbon emissions.

Current development of renewable capacities

By the end of 2023, Saudi Arabia already had more than 8 GW of renewable energy projects under construction. This rapid development is the direct result of several projects awarded via competitive auctions over the past eighteen months. In addition, a further 13 GW are under development, marking significant progress towards the new targets. These projects cover a range of technologies, including solar photovoltaics and wind power, with solar power predominating due to the region’s abundant sunshine.

Accelerating growth in renewable capacity

According to GlobalData, since 2022, Saudi Arabia has added 2.1 GW of renewable capacity, a 300% increase on the cumulative addition of 700 MW during the previous decade. This acceleration is partly due to the kingdom’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, requiring the annual addition of 20 GW of renewable capacity to reach 130 GW by 2030. This strategy is supported by increased investment in renewable technologies and a strong government policy encouraging private and international investment.

Impacts and long-term forecasts

Between 2015 and 2023, renewable power capacity in Saudi Arabia grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 82.4%, from 0.02 GW to 3 GW. This impressive rate is set to continue with a CAGR of 40.1% between 2023 and 2030, reaching a planned capacity of 31.5 GW in 2030 and an estimated 63.1 GW in 2035. The continued efforts of political decision-makers and the strict implementation of policies give the kingdom a good chance of meeting or even exceeding its targets.

Saudi Arabia’s commitment to renewable energy is more robust than ever, with significant progress being made towards the ambitious target of 130 GW of renewable capacity by 2030. By aligning its energy policies with its environmental and sustainable development objectives, the kingdom is positioning itself not only as a regional but also as a global leader in the energy transition.

As oil production declines, Gabon is relying on regulatory reforms and large-scale investments to build a new growth framework focused on local transformation and industrialisation.
Cameroon will adopt a customs exemption on industrial equipment related to biofuels starting in 2026, as part of its new energy strategy aimed at regulating a still underdeveloped sector.
Facing a persistent fuel shortage and depleted foreign reserves, the Bolivian parliament has passed an exceptional law allowing private actors to import gasoline, diesel and LPG tax-free for three months.
Ghana aims to secure $16 billion in oil revenues over ten years, but the continued drop in production raises doubts about the sector’s long-term stability.
The government of Kinshasa has signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnam's Vingroup to develop a 6,300-hectare urban project and modernise mobility through an electric transport network.
ERCOT’s grid adapts to record electricity consumption by relying on the growth of solar, wind and battery storage to maintain system stability.
The French government will raise the energy savings certificate budget by 27% in 2026, leveraging more private funds to support thermal renovation and electric mobility.
Facing opposition criticism, Monique Barbut asserts that France’s energy sovereignty relies on a strategy combining civil nuclear power and renewable energy.
The European Commission is reviving efforts to abolish daylight saving time, supported by several member states, as the energy savings from the practice are now considered negligible.
Rising responses to UNEP’s satellite alerts trigger measurement, reporting and verification clauses; the European Union sets import milestones, Japan strengthens liquefied natural gas traceability; operators and steelmakers adjust budgets and contracts.
The European Commission unveils a seven-point action plan aimed at lowering energy costs, targeting energy-intensive industries and households facing persistently high utility bills.
The European Commission plans to keep energy at the heart of its 2026 agenda, with several structural reforms targeting market security, governance and simplification.
The new Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)–Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin no Kai) axis combines a nuclear restart, targeted fuel tax cuts and energy subsidies, with immediate effects on prices and risk reallocations for operators. —
German authorities have ruled out market abuse by major power producers during sharp price increases caused by low renewable output in late 2024.
A new International Energy Agency report urges Maputo to accelerate energy investment to ensure universal electricity access and support its emerging industry.
Increased reliance on combined-cycle plants after the April 28 blackout pushed gas use for electricity up by about 37%, bringing total demand to 267.6 TWh and strengthening flows to France.
The United States announces a tariff increase beyond the 10% base rate targeting several Colombian products. Bogotá has recalled its ambassador. The detailed list of tariff lines has not yet been published, while Colombia’s ban on coal exports to Israel remains in effect.
The president-elect outlines a pro-market agenda: gradual reform of fuel subsidies, review of Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos (YLB) lithium contracts, and monetization of gas transit between Argentina and Brazil, prioritizing supply stabilization.
A three-year partnership has been signed between Senegal and two Quebec-based companies to develop the country’s geoscientific capacity and structure its energy sector through technological innovation.
The South African government plans 105,000 MW of additional capacity by 2039 to redefine its energy mix, support industrialisation, and strengthen supply security.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.