May 2024: The Saudi Arabian Minister of Energy met with the US Secretary of Energy on 15 May 2024 where they signed a roadmap for cooperation in the field of energy between Saudi Arabia and the United States. The roadmap represents the joint implementation plan for energy cooperation under the Partnership Framework for Advancing Clean Energy signed by the two countries on 15 July 2022 and sets a timeline that outlines critical projects for collaboration. The Partnership Framework covers cooperation in various fields and projects including clean hydrogen.
December 2023: At the third edition of the Saudi Green Initiative Forum held on 4 December 2023, it was noted that development is progressing on the USD 8.4 billion green hydrogen plant in NEOM.
October 2023: The Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on 22 October 2023 that at the Korea-Saudi summit meeting in Riyadh, a number of energy institutions, companies and MOTIE entered two agreements and five memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Saudi counterparts, including the “Korea-Saudi Hydrogen Oasis Cooperation Initiative” MOU between the two countries’ governments for expanding mutual cooperation in clean hydrogen. The Joint Statement by the two governments noted the cooperation agreement on clean hydrogen between Korean companies and the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the first commercial shipment of clean ammonia produced by Saudi Arabia to Korea.
Sources:
- Korea and Saudi agree to widen scope of clean hydrogen cooperation
- Joint Statement on the Occasion of the State Visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by President of the Republic of Korea
October 2023: On 8 October 2023, India and Saudi Arabia signed a MoU which aims to establish a general framework for cooperation between the two countries in the field of electrical interconnection; exchange of electricity during peak times and emergencies; co-development of projects; co-production of green / clean hydrogen and renewable energy; and also establishing secure, reliable and resilient supply chains of materials used in green / clean hydrogen and the renewable energy sector.
Source: India and Saudi Arabia sign MoU on Green/Clean Hydrogen
July 2023: In the Joint Communique issued by Saudi Arabia and France relating to the field of energy, it noted that both countries agreed on a hydrogen cooperation and electricity produced from renewable resources roadmap.
February 2023: The Saudi Shura Council approved a memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Ministry of Energy and the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy to strengthen cooperation in electricity, renewable energy and clean hydrogen.
Source: Saudi Shura Council approves MoU with Egypt on electricity, renewable energy-SIS
January 2023: Saudi Arabia will invest up to one trillion riyals (USD 266 billion) to generate clean energy, with the aim of the investments also to add transport lines and distribution networks to eventually export energy to the world and produce clean hydrogen.
Source: Saudi Arabia to invest about $266 bln for clean energy – minister
October 2021: The first set of initiatives under the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) was launched at the first Saudi Green Initiative forum held in October 2021. The SGI has a set of initiatives to protect the environment and address climate change challenges while achieving ambitious targets. There are three overarching targets in the SGI: emissions reduction by 278 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) by 2030 (base year 2019) with a commitment to have 50% of its power generated from renewable sources by 2030, afforestation and land and sea protection. One of the initiatives is for Saudi Arabia to become the world's leading hydrogen producer and exporter by 2030, specifically to capture more than 27 million tons of CO2e by producing four million tons of clean hydrogen per year by 2030. It was also announced that Saudi Arabia aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2060.
Sources:
- HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister announces the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2060;
- Saudi Arabia's First NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) (updated 23 October 2021)
- Shabaneh, R., Roychoudhury, J., Braun, J.F., & Saxena, S. (Eds). (2024). The Clean Hydrogen Economy and Saudi Arabia: Domestic Developments and International Opportunities (1st ed.). Routledge
- Saudi Arabia wants to be top supplier of hydrogen – energy minister
- SGI Initiatives
- Saudi Arabia – High-level Segment Statement COP26
May 2021: Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has offered to work with Saudi Arabi on hydrogen production.
Source: Russia offers cooperation with Saudi Arabia on hydrogen production - Novak
March 2021: On 11 March 2021, Germany and Saudi Arabia signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing cooperation regarding the production, processing, use and transport of green hydrogen.
Source: Memorandum of Understanding on German-Saudi hydrogen cooperation
November 2020: In the Leaders' Declaration made at the G20 Riyadh Summit under the Saudi Arabian Presidency, the G20 leaders endorsed the Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) Platform with its 4Rs framework (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Remove). Hydrogen plays a role within CCE as it can cut across all 4Rs. CCE was championed by Saudi Arabia under its presidency of the G20.
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