Saudi Arabia And Mauritania Collaborate On Renewable Energy And Clean Hydrogen Initiatives

Saudi Arabia and Mauritania have entered a framework agreement with the goal of investigating potential opportunities and facilitating the exchange of expertise in the fields of electricity, renewable energy, and clean hydrogen.

This agreement, formalized during the recent World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh, was signed by Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and Mauritania’s Minister of Petroleum, Mines, and Energy, Nany Ould Chrougha.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) outlines plans to encourage the sharing of knowledge and the identification of collaboration prospects in renewable energy sectors such as solar, wind, waste-to-energy, and geothermal energy. Additionally, the agreement emphasizes initiatives to enhance the reliability and security of the electricity system through various developmental efforts.

Furthermore, the deal aims to explore opportunities for joint project development, technology transfer in the electricity and renewable power sectors, and potential partnerships in clean hydrogen and energy technologies. These endeavors seek to advance the adoption of cleaner fossil fuel technologies, employing efficient methods and practices to mitigate environmental impacts. This includes initiatives such as carbon dioxide separation, capture, storage, and utilization, as well as efforts to improve energy production and consumption efficiency.

According to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) on renewable energy prospects for Mauritania, the country possesses ample wind and solar resources in the northwest African region. Leveraging these resources on a large scale could greatly contribute to achieving universal electricity access and fostering sustainable economic growth.

The IEA report, the first of its kind focused solely on Mauritania, explores the potential benefits of expanding the nation’s renewable energy capabilities. It suggests that scaling up these resources to produce low-cost renewable electricity and hydrogen through electrolysis could attract significant investments and catalyze Mauritania’s energy system transformation, thereby bridging electricity access gaps and promoting clean and sustainable development.

Additionally, the report examines the water requirements for hydrogen production and evaluates the feasibility of improving access to potable water through seawater desalination, providing valuable insights into Mauritania’s renewable energy potential and its broader sustainability objectives.