This oil-rich country has stood in the way of climate action. It’s quietly building a clean energy empire

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🗞️ Driving the news: Saudi Arabia, the world's second-largest oil producer, is undergoing a dramatic shift toward renewable energy
• Despite its oil-rich legacy, the country is investing heavily in solar power, with its largest solar farm, Al Shuaibah 2, now generating enough electricity to power 350,000 homes
• By 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to produce 50% of its electricity from renewables

🔭 The context: This solar boom is in stark contrast to Saudi Arabia’s history as a major oil exporter
• With low solar installation costs and abundant sun, the country is rapidly scaling up its renewable energy capacity, making strides toward its Vision 2030 strategy, which focuses on diversifying its economy away from oil dependency
• By the end of 2025, Saudi Arabia is expected to have 12 gigawatts of solar power, propelling it into the top 10 global markets for new solar installations
• Despite these advances, climate experts caution that the 2030 renewable energy target remains ambitious, with Saudi still relying heavily on natural gas

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Saudi Arabia’s move toward clean energy signals a shift in the global energy landscape, with even petrostates recognizing the growing inevitability of renewables
• However, the country remains committed to fossil fuels, balancing a solar surge with continued natural gas expansion, highlighting the ongoing struggle between the energy transition and fossil fuel dependency

⏭️ What’s next: As Saudi Arabia pushes forward with its renewable energy agenda, it will face scrutiny during climate talks, especially at COP30
• While its transition is significant, the country’s dual approach to energy, solar domestically and oil diplomatically, will be a focal point for climate negotiators seeking stronger commitments from major oil producers

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