Electricity in Saudi Arabia in 2022

The current state of electricity consumption in Saudi Arabia is heavily dependent on fossil fuels. In 2022, nearly all of the electricity generated, close to 100%, came from fossil sources, with about two-thirds specifically from gas. This indicates a very low reliance on low-carbon or clean energy, making Saudi Arabia's electricity generation one of the least diverse in terms of energy sources. The enormous dependence on fossil fuels is concerning, particularly considering the negative impacts such as climate change and air pollution.

Suggestions

To pivot towards a more sustainable electricity mix, Saudi Arabia can look to countries that have successfully integrated substantial proportions of low-carbon energy into their grids. France's impressive generation, where nuclear power accounts for 65% of electricity, serves as an excellent example. Similarly, Slovakia and Ukraine also demonstrate strong nuclear infrastructures with more than half of their electricity coming from this low-carbon source. For wind energy, Denmark is notable, with 53% of its electricity generated from wind. Observing these examples, Saudi Arabia could develop both nuclear and wind projects to significant scales. These sources could greatly diversify the country's electricity generation and mitigate its environmental footprint.

History

Historically, Saudi Arabia has been very slow in adopting low-carbon electricity generation. From 2008 to 2017, there was no significant development in either solar or wind electricity generation. A minor shift began in 2018 when the country started to generate 0.1 TWh from solar energy, but wind energy remained stagnant with close to none. This gradual change continued until 2021 when solar generation increased substantially to 0.6 TWh. However, wind energy still saw no development up to 2022. This historical data indicates that there has been minimal efforts towards integrating low-carbon sources, and substantial improvement is needed in both solar and wind energy, as well as potentially nuclear, to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy landscape.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources