Press Release

Saudi Arabia focuses on renewables

A 'world-class' research centre for renewable energy technologies has been set up at the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, in Dhahran. The Centre of Research Excellence in Renewable Energy aims to help Saudi Arabia continue to play a key role as a world energy leader in the future.

'The centre aspires to prepare the kingdom for the fast approaching hydrogen and methanol economies and help harness its immense solar and wind potentials', said Professor S.U. Rahman, who is interim director of the new Centre. Saudi Arabia has recognized the need to diversify its economy and decrease reliance on oil – oil earnings currently make up almost 95% of the country's revenues.

During its first year, the centre will be in a setting-up phase, before commencing research activities in a year's time. The centre has set up different branches for research – on hydrogen, methanol and fuel cells, solar and wind energy, advanced energy storage systems, electrical infrastructure and controls systems, and on the economics of renewable energy.