Saudi Arabia Turning to Renewable Energies

The nation most identified with its massive oil reserves is turning to wind and solar energy to generate power at home and help extend the life of its crucial crude franchise.

Starting this year, Saudi Arabia plans to develop almost 10 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2023, starting with wind and solar plants in its vast northwestern desert. 

The effort could replace the equivalent of 80,000 barrels of oil a day now burned for power, Bloomberg reported. 

Add in natural gas projects set to start later this decade and the Saudis could quadruple that number, according to Wood MacKenzie Lt. That could supplant all the crude burned in the kingdom during its winter months.

The effort goes hand-in-hand with a drive by the royal family to broaden the economy following two years of budget deficits tied to low oil prices. 

More industry, though, means more energy, with the amount of power used at peak times growing by 10% in the last year alone.

“Renewable energy is not a luxury anymore,” said Mario Maratheftis, chief economist at Standard Chartered Plc., in an interview. "If domestic use continues like this, eventually the Saudis won’t have spare oil to export.’’

"In all, Saudi Arabia is seeking $30 billion to $50 billion worth of investment in renewables," Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said this month. 

The ministry will set up a division to handle the tenders until the country establishes a new independent buyer for all power supplies.

“The terms on renewable contracts will be motivating so that the cost of generating power from these renewable sources will be the lowest in the world,” Falih said at a news conference in Riyadh. 

"The kingdom will award its first tenders to build 700 megawatts of solar and wind energy in September."

Riyadh also has raised domestic energy prices to slow demand growth and called for greater efficiency, according to the Riyadh-based King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center. 

Failing to tap more sources, including renewable energy, natural gas or even nuclear reactors, could erode the oil exports still vital to the economy, the center wrote in an October report.