Saudi Arabia Roundup: Renewable energy, hajj, drug trafficking

Solar energy boost

Saudi Arabia is poised to boost its solar energy capacity by 5,500 megawatts, having inked three pivotal agreements through its main purchasing entity. The agreements, aimed at expanding the use of renewable energy sources, were cemented by the Saudi Power Procurement Co., which secured power purchase contracts for three novel solar photovoltaic initiatives alongside ACWA Power Co., Badeel—owned by the Public Investment Fund—and Aramco Power. According to Arab News, this development is in line with the National Renewable Energy Programme's goal to fulfil the Kingdom's ambition of deriving 50 of its energy from renewable sources by the decade's end, thereby diminishing reliance on liquid fuels and contributing to the Saudi Vision 2030's energy sector goals.

Hajj services praised

India's envoy to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Ajaz Khan, has commended the Kingdom for the exceptional services rendered to pilgrims in the current Hajj season. Having participated in the Hajj himself and assisted Indian pilgrims, Khan expressed to Arab News his appreciation for the support provided during the pilgrimage, reports Arab News. “We work closely with the Saudi Health Ministry and other authorities to provide our pilgrims the best medical services. We are thankful for all the cooperation we receive from the Saudi authorities in this regard. Saudi authorities are also deploying huge resources in helping the pilgrims of all nationalities with medical emergencies and other medical issues,” he said.

Saudi pavilion inaugurated

On Wednesday, June 26, Saudi Arabia proudly unveiled its pavilion, taking centre stage as the guest of honour at the 2024 Seoul International Book Fair, scheduled for June 26-30, as per the Saudi Press Agency. The event, hosted at the Convention and Exhibition Complex in southern Seoul, marks the 66th iteration of the SIBF and is a tribute to Saudi culture. As reported by Arab News, the Kingdom's pavilion is set to showcase the diverse elements of its cultural legacy. An immersive experience, orchestrated by the Ministry of Culture's Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission and supported by various authorities and commissions, will present the richness of Saudi cultural facets to the attendees.

Efforts to eradicate drug-trafficking

Saudi Arabia has intensified its efforts to eradicate drug use and crack down on the trafficking and funding of illegal drugs. Colonel Omar bin Aida Al-Talhi, Commander of the National Center for Security Operations, stated that the initiative's objective is to "eradicate" drug use and "safeguard society and its younger members from their impact." This declaration was made in alignment with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, established by the UN in 1987 and observed every year on June 26, reports Arab News. World Anti-Drug Day, as the event is commonly known, was “an important day that emphasizes the harm of drugs and their impact on nations, societies and individuals, which requires fighting them in various ways and taking the initiative to report smugglers and dealers,” Al-Talhi said.

Renewable energy project

Saudi Arabia has launched a major geographical survey to identify suitable sites for renewable energy projects across the country. The project is part of the National Renewable Energy Programme and will cover all regions of Saudi Arabia, excluding populated and airspace-restricted areas and dunes. The survey will involve the installation of 1,200 stations to measure solar and wind energy and will use artificial intelligence systems to assess and rank sites for suitability. The aim is to tender new renewables projects with a capacity of 20GW annually starting from 2024, to reach between 100GW and 130GW by 2030. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia revealed the qualified bidders for the fifth round of 3.7GW solar projects under the National Renewable Energy Programme, according to PV Tech.