Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy sector is accelerating its shift from launching initiatives to large-scale operations and expansion, with operational project capacity jumping 88 percent in 2025 to reach 12.313 gigawatts by year-end. Investment in existing projects exceeded SAR 36 billion ($9.6…
Saudi Arabia’s operational renewable energy capacity surged 88 percent in 2025 to hit 12.313 gigawatts by the end of the year, according to new figures from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). Financial backing for active developments surpassed SAR 36 billion ($9.6 billion), underscoring a broader push by the Kingdom to broaden its power generation mix and expand reliance on clean energy sources. Data released under GASTAT's "Raqam Saudi" initiative revealed that 15 commercial-scale renewable power projects were active across the country at year-end.
Industry analysts noted that accelerated execution schedules and growing capital flow into clean technology are setting the stage for additional capacity additions. Future development is slated to encompass solar photovoltaics, wind farms, and green hydrogen manufacturing, alongside localized supply chain networks and workforce training programs. The national strategy, overseen by the Ministry of Energy alongside the Public Investment Fund (PIF), aims to meet a target of sourcing 50 percent of the country's grid electricity from renewables by 2030.
Majid Refae, chairman of the Saudi Polytechnic Institute for Renewable Energy (SPIRE), stated that the domestic sector is transitioning from preliminary initiative launches to broad commercial operations. He attributed the momentum to expedited project delivery under the National Renewable Energy Program, expanding private capital deployment, and highly competitive generation costs. Refae emphasized that achieving the country's long-term targets will require sustained public-private partnerships, international technology transfers, and local manufacturing of critical system components.
Between 2026 and 2030, the Kingdom expects further capacity additions driven by incoming utility-scale solar, wind, and export-oriented green hydrogen infrastructure. To support this pipeline, SPIRE is expanding applied technical coursework focused on solar power, wind generation, energy storage, and green hydrogen systems. Refae added that training programs are being designed around direct labor market requirements to ensure qualified local personnel are prepared to manage, operate, and maintain future power assets.
Originally reported by ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English on Sep 9, 2026.
