In a new step that confirms the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's leadership in adopting clean energy technologies, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Minister of Energy, announced the operation of the Kingdom's first test unit for direct air carbon capture. The unit, located at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) in Riyadh, is being operated in partnership with Clayworks, a global leader in carbon capture technologies.
A new Saudi achievement
The operation of this mobile unit, which has already begun operations within the center's facilities, represents a qualitative leap in the application of direct carbon capture technologies from the atmosphere. It works to trap carbon dioxide in a hot and dry environment, representing a real and successful test of the technology's effectiveness in difficult local climatic conditions.
Commitment to sustainability and achieving Vision 2030
The Minister of Energy emphasized that this step represents a new national achievement in the Kingdom's journey toward sustainability and embodies its commitment to implementing the principles of the circular carbon economy. This initiative also aligns with the national objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, including the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.
His Highness said: “The operation of this advanced unit places the Kingdom at the forefront of countries innovating and implementing effective technological solutions to combat climate change, and confirms our ability to localize and develop technology in a manner that is compatible with the nature of our local environment.”
KAPSARC: A Scientific Platform for Future Technologies
KAPSARC is one of the region's leading research centers in the fields of energy and sustainability, providing a scientific environment conducive to experimenting and evaluating the latest technologies. Its collaboration with Clayworks enhances opportunities for knowledge transfer and localization, and the development of new carbon capture solutions that can be expanded to multiple industrial and service projects inside and outside the Kingdom.
This unit will also mark the beginning of a series of scientific experiments to enhance the technology's efficiency and evaluate its economic feasibility in the Saudi environment. This will open new horizons for diversifying the economy, reducing emissions, and achieving the goals of the energy sector's transformation.
Saudi Arabia leads global climate efforts
This achievement is part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to lead the global transition to sustainable energy and strengthen its presence as an influential country in the international climate dialogue. The Kingdom has become an active partner in developing innovative technological solutions to contribute to reducing global emissions, in addition to being a major player in global energy security.
The operation of the direct carbon capture unit is seen as a key pillar of the Kingdom's climate strategy and a clear indication of the continued progress in adopting future technologies to address one of the world's greatest challenges: climate change.
