Electricity in Saudi Arabia in 2023
In 2023, the electricity consumption profile of Saudi Arabia heavily leans on fossil energy, with a massive reliance on gas that constitutes more than half of its electric power, specifically over 60%. The low-carbon energy sector, including solar, contributes a mere 1.36% to the overall electricity generation. Solar power alone accounts for roughly 1% of this generation, pointing towards a significant opportunity for growth in the clean energy sector. The dominance of fossil fuels in electricity generation raises concerns about sustainability and the environmental footprint, suggesting an urgent need for diversifying energy sources towards cleaner and more sustainable alternatives, such as solar and nuclear energy.
Is Electricity Growing in Saudi Arabia?
Despite the slight decline in the overall electricity consumption per person, dropping from around 12,832 kWh in 2017 to 12,712 kWh in 2023, there is promising progress within the clean energy sector. Remarkably, the generation of low-carbon electricity increased from 71 kWh per person in 2022 to 173 kWh in 2023. This substantial rise, by over 100 kWh per person, reflects a more than doubling in clean energy production, signifying the kingdom’s commitment to a greener future. However, the decrease in total electricity consumption might raise concerns about energy availability and economic growth, highlighting the importance of expanding electricity generation to meet future demand.
Suggestions
Saudi Arabia can learn valuable lessons from other regions that have successfully integrated significant proportions of clean energy into their electricity mix. Countries like France and Slovakia demonstrate the potential of nuclear energy, contributing more than half of their electricity generation. Similarly, solar-rich countries such as the United Arab Emirates and regions like Nevada showcase solar power's viability, with solar contributing close to a third of their electricity supply. By leveraging its vast arid lands and sunny climate, Saudi Arabia can significantly boost its solar generation while exploring nuclear energy's potential, following examples from successful nuclear-powered countries. This strategy would not only help mitigate the environmental impacts of fossil fuels but also ensure energy independence and security.
History
Historically, Saudi Arabia's journey towards low-carbon electricity generation has been gradual. From 2008 to 2017, there was negligible activity in solar and wind energy sectors. However, post-2018, the solar sector began to show signs of life, albeit modestly, with small incremental increases. A noteworthy shift occurred in 2021 and 2022 with solar and wind energy increments of 0.6 and 1.4 TWh, respectively. Most significantly, in 2023, solar power generation surged by 3.5 TWh, marking a pivotal advancement in the country's clean energy journey. These milestones reflect Saudi Arabia’s progressive stride towards expanding its low-carbon energy resources, hinting at an optimistic trajectory that should be sustained and accelerated further to combat climate challenges effectively.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.