Al-Eqtisad Magazine in Asharqia Chamber reviews the models of utilization of natural elements.
Economists: solar energy project is one of the most prominent headlines of the Saudi future.
Economists and observers agreed that the solar energy project is one of the most important titles for the Saudi future. It is a vivid example of strategic initiatives, a model for maximizing natural resources such as the sun, optimizing the available resources and pushing for development for the benefit of the future generations.
The new solar project, based on Vision 2030, is estimated at a total cost of about $ 200 billion and makes the Kingdom, according to experts' estimates, the world's largest producer of solar energy, which is transforming the kingdom from a consumer of this energy to its largest exporter globally.
The importance of the transformation is clearly reflected in the reference of one of the Saudi researchers in this field, as he said, "We were aiming to provide 20% of solar electricity, and we are now facing the largest global projects that will put the Kingdom at the forefront of solar energy producers."
"Al-Eqtisad Magazine" that is issued by Asharqia Chamber has presented the views of many economists and experts in this field.
Prince Turki bin Saud bin Mohammed, the chairman of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), said that the Kingdom has vast areas that can be invested to build huge solar power plants and use 7.5% of the Kingdom's solar energy projects to meet the world's energy needs.
He pointed out that the Kingdom's current energy needs are 75 GW. Here, the solar plan 2030 will enable the Kingdom to export the surplus through interconnected electrical networks, thus providing alternative energy to the Kingdom's oil.
He added that the solar plan 2030 has many positive aspects, the least of which is the reduction of the cost of solar energy production to contribute to the desalination of salt water for agriculture. This move will meet the Kingdom's energy needs of agriculture estimated at 20 GW.
He noted that one of the basic components of the Kingdom is the huge quantity of sand that is rich in silica, which can be converted to high-purity silicone.
In fact, it is the basic material in the production of solar cells, integration with the field of mining, using phosphate residues in the mines, to produce other kilometers of silicon.
He pointed out that the Kingdom has been working on the development of high-efficiency solar cells using multiple technologies and the localization of the manufacture of solar panels, reflectors, solar follow-ups, and laboratories test the reliability of solar panels. It is also working on developing energy storage technologies and reducing their cost to support the industrial solar system in the Kingdom.
The economic writer, Fadl al-Buainain, recited the Kingdom's step. He said, "Until recently, we aspired to gradually expand the production of solar energy to provide about 20% of the total electricity produced. Though, we have become the largest global projects that will put the Kingdom in the forefront of producers of solar energy, not for the purpose of consumption internally, but for aboard exporting."
He added that the Kingdom has the elements of the solar energy industry, from its sunny environment, and embracing its land for silica-the main material in the solar panel industry- in addition to technology and its financial standing that is capable of executing large projects in partnership with its global partners, who trust in its capabilities and vision of the Crown Prince.
Al-Buainain pointed out that the project would create a new industrial sector linked to solar energy, including the manufacture of solar panels, turbines and important parts of power plants.
He added that this would result in a significant contribution to the creation of the State Treasury's revenues and significant returns to the Public Investment Fund, which will be a strategic alternative to future oil revenues.
Dr. Faisal Mirza, Energy and oil marketing specialist and former director of energy studies at OPEC, said that the solar plan will contribute to the Kingdom's position on the top of the industrialized countries of solar panels, through the stock of abundant pure silica sand, which is the key element in the manufacture of solar panels and the highest purity globally.
He pointed out that the Kingdom through the agreement will be the largest user of solar energy in the world undisputed, surpassing China, which leads the global solar users, with energy up to 120 GW.
He stressed the importance of opening up important areas for the participation of qualified national SMEs in order to grow with the growth of the project, develop with its progress, and to acquire the expertise and required skills.
While the economic and academic writer in charge of funding, Dr. Salah Al-shilhoub, emphasized that the solar energy plan 2030 establishes a new phase in which the Kingdom remains at the forefront of leadership as one of the largest energy producing countries in the world.
Al-Shahloub stresses that solar energy is not a normal project, and it must include a set of actions that precede it.
He pointed to the responsibility of universities in building programs specialized in the field of clean energy in general, and solar energy in particular, as the expected duration of completion of the early stages of it is very close, yet there are no specialized programs in this area at universities currently.
He emphasized the importance of taking care of the establishment of specialized centers in the field of renewable energy, and to contribute directly to these projects to carry out studies in this field, and provide solutions regarding possible obstacles. The private sector must contribute to qualitative investments as well.
In addition, Bandar al-Howaish, specialist in financing energy projects, said, "The Kingdom's commitment to launch huge investments in all supply chains will provide an opportunity to reshape its oil-related identity for decades to a reliable source of energy of all types, renewable and traditional."
He indicated that the solar energy project represents a bold and great step for the Kingdom. Also, the project will provide an opportunity to break into markets that have not entered before, and specifically through opportunities to cover the needs of the deprived of electricity globally.
Dr. Haitham Bahaidra, academic and economic writer in charge of energy, describes the new project is as "a leap into the sun" and the Kingdom's journey to the future is illuminated by the sun as part of a shift to focus on harnessing solar energy.
He explained that the solar energy project is a new framework for the development of the solar energy sector in the country.
He believes that different dynamics are increasingly indicating the need for the Kingdom to start a green march to ensure a sustainable tomorrow.
He pointed out that the success of renewable energy plans will lead to cumulative savings in the region, which will make the geographical conditions prevailing through solar energy, the strongest and most renewable resources.
In the opinion of a member of the Shura Council and the economic writer, Dr. Fahd bin Juma, the agreement of understanding in the solar energy project will move the energy economy from the era of low energy to the era of low-yield renewable energy and without future environmental risks.
He pointed our that the local industry for this project will contribute to the local need of solar panels in addition to their export to global markets, which increases the economic value in the total economic output.
