The energy future of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

In a recent publication, North European experts argue that “Saudi Arabia can achieve a 100% renewable energy power system by 2040 with a power sector dominated by PV single-axis tracking and battery storage”. They also say “Battery storage contributed up to 30% of the total electricity demand in 2040 and the contribution increases to 48% by 2050”. Based on considerations specific to the geography, climate conditions, and resources of Saudi Arabia, it is explained as batteries and photovoltaic solar panels are not the best choice for the country's energy sector. To cover all the total primary energy supply of Saudi Arabia by solar photovoltaic, plus battery storage to compensate for the sun's energy intermittency, unpredictability, and seasonal variability, is impracticable and inconvenient, for both the economy and the environment. Better environment and economy may be achieved by further valorizing the fossil fuel resources, through the construction of other high-efficiency plants such as the combined cycle gas turbine plants of Qurayyah, development of novel technologies for the production of clean fuels and clean electricity, including oxyfuel combustion and carbon capture and storage. Construction of nuclear power plants may also be more beneficial to the economy and the environment than photovoltaic and batteries. Regarding solar energy, enclosed trough solar thermal power systems developed along the coast have much better perspectives than solar photovoltaic, as embedded thermal energy storage is a better approach than battery storage. Further, a centralized power plant works better than distributed rooftop photovoltaic installations covered by dust and sand, rusted or cracked. Finally, pumped hydro energy storage along the coast may also have better perspectives than battery storage.

Energy storage: Status and future perspective in Arab countries

“…A study by Boretti et al 68 concluded that using thermal storage in solar thermal power plants along the coast of Saudi Arabia is a better choice than solar PV with battery storage. In addition, they pointed out that pumped hydroenergy storage has a better perspective than battery storage.…”

Covid19 pandemic as a further driver of water scarcity in Africa

“…As discussed in Boretti et al (2020), replacement of conventional power plants with renewable energy is expensive, and at least in some cases, such as Saudi Arabia, not providing clear advantages, also from the point of view of the environment. A combined-cycle gas turbine plant such as the 2014 Qurayyah power station in Abqaiq, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, of 4000 MW nominal power, had a cost of 2.85 billion US$.…”

“…Factoring the likely reduced life span of the PV and battery energy storage facilities versus the combined cycle gas turbine plant, production of the same energy with renewables is even worse than with fossil fuels. The 64 solar PV plants such as Topaz, plus the 686 Li-Ion batteries such as Hornsdale, that are needed to replace the already existing Qurayyah, do not seem a real advantage for the economy and the environment (Boretti et al 2020).…”