In 2023, electricity consumption in Saudi Arabia is overwhelmingly dominated by fossil fuels, which account for more than 98% of the total electricity generation. Natural gas alone contributes about 63% to the electricity generation mix. Low-carbon energy sources, including solar power, make up a very small fraction, only about 1.4% of the total electricity output. Among the low-carbon options, solar energy is the most utilized, though it still constitutes just over 1% of the total electricity generated. The reliance on fossil fuels highlights a substantial opportunity for growth in low-carbon energy to mitigate the environmental impact and harness more sustainable energy sources in the kingdom.

Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →

Is Electricity Growing in Saudi Arabia?

Electricity consumption in Saudi Arabia is growing, albeit slowly. In 2023, the average electricity consumption per person is 12,712 kWh, which marks an increase from the previous high in 2021 when it stood at 12,543 kWh per person. This growth is mirrored in the expansion of low-carbon electricity generation, which increased from 71 kWh per person in 2022 to 173 kWh in 2023, indicating a notable shift towards cleaner energy practices. The increase in low-carbon electricity generation is a promising trend that suggests Saudi Arabia is beginning to diversify its energy mix, albeit there is significant room for expansion.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Saudi Arabia could draw lessons from regions that have successfully integrated clean energy sources into their electricity mixes. Countries like North Macedonia, which achieves 49% of its electricity from solar, and the United Arab Emirates, where nuclear power constitutes 20% of electricity generation, present compelling models. Solar and nuclear energy, being scalable and reliable sources, should be the main focus for Saudi Arabia to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels significantly. Investing in nuclear and solar infrastructure would not only enhance energy security but also align with global climate change mitigation efforts by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

History

Historically, Saudi Arabia's journey towards low-carbon electricity generation has been gradual but shows promising recent advances. Between 2010 and 2014, there was virtually no change in solar power utilization. It wasn't until 2015 that a minor shift occurred, with a mere 0.1 TWh addition from solar, followed by another 0.1 TWh in 2019. The decade closed with minimal low-carbon energy production. Starting from 2021, there's been a noticeable push, reflected in the 0.6 TWh solar addition and 1.4 TWh from wind in 2022. By 2023, solar energy alone surged by an impressive 3.5 TWh, highlighting the kingdom's increasing commitment to cleaner energy sources. This recent trend is a positive sign that Saudi Arabia is stepping up its efforts to transition toward sustainable electricity.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade