A New Energy Era: Saudi Arabia Renewable Energy Capacity Nearly Triples
In a significant stride towards its clean energy ambitions, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a regional powerhouse, with its operational renewable energy capacity nearly tripling in 2025. This dramatic expansion underscores the Kingdom’s serious commitment to diversifying its energy portfolio and marks a pivotal moment in the Middle East and North Africa’s (MENA) broader energy transition.
This national achievement has been a primary catalyst for the entire region’s impressive growth. In 2025 alone, the MENA region’s total renewable capacity surged by 44%, reaching approximately 43.7 GW. The driving force behind this expansion was overwhelmingly solar photovoltaic (PV) power, which now accounts for a significant portion of the region’s green energy infrastructure.
The rapid build-out is a core component of Saudi Arabia’s strategic vision. The country has set an ambitious target to have half of its electricity generated from renewable sources by 2030, with natural gas providing the other half for base-load power. This clear policy directive has spurred massive investments in landmark projects and created a stable environment for developing utility-scale solar farms, leveraging one of the country’s most abundant natural resources: sunlight.
Looking ahead, the momentum shows no signs of slowing. Saudi Arabia’s progress is part of a massive 202 GW renewable project pipeline across the MENA region, with 38 GW already under construction. Forecasters see this capacity potentially reaching between 165 GW and 290 GW by 2030, depending on the pace of the green revolution. This sustained growth is underpinned by a combination of clear government policies, the falling cost of solar technology, and increasing private investment.
By decisively embracing renewables, Saudi Arabia is not only working towards its decarbonization goals but is also bolstering its long-term energy security in a rapidly evolving global landscape.