Saudi Arabia: Geothermal Could be Part of Future Energy Mix

Now, oil-rich Saudi Arabia eyes geothermal energy (GulfNews.com)

Geothermal energy potential of southwestern of Saudi Arabia explored for possible power generation

Saudi Arabia is eyeing geothermal power — that is, energy from the earth by harvesting steam from volcanic vents — as part of its strategic energy plan that also includes massive use of solar energy and wind farms, a senior official told a conference here.

Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al Falih, speaking at the on-going World Future Energy Summit in the UAE capital, said that his country will generate an addition 10 gigawatts of power from a combination of solar, wind and geothermal power projects to be installed by 2023.

This doesn’t come as a surprise: Recent studies site potential geothermal sites in Al Khouba area, in the south-western province of Jizan, for example.

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