Saudi-France Partnership Targets Hydrogen, Clean Energy Goals

Saudi Arabia and France have pledged to deepen their partnership in the energy sector, with hydrogen and electricity from low-emission and renewable sources as key areas of focus. The announcement came following a meeting between Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and French Minister for Energy Transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher.

As per reports, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to advancing clean energy and climate goals, building on a memorandum of understanding signed on February 2, 2023. The joint communique emphasised the shared priorities of addressing climate change, ensuring sustainable energy supplies, and aligning with the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C.

The partnership includes a roadmap for hydrogen cooperation, targeting technology development, business collaboration, and policy alignment. The two countries aim to jointly advance hydrogen production, transportation, and use in sectors such as industry, mobility, and power generation.

Key initiatives include enhancing renewable energy projects, grid interconnections, and private sector participation in energy generation, transmission, and storage. The collaboration will also focus on nuclear energy, carbon capture, and energy efficiency, alongside the development of human capabilities and sustainable supply chains.

Saudi Arabia, leveraging its abundant renewable energy resources and strategic location, aspires to lead globally in hydrogen and low-emission electricity exports. France, through its 'France 2030' initiative, is driving investment in decarbonised hydrogen and renewable energy, aiming for 100 GW of installed renewable capacity by 2050, with over 40 GW from offshore wind.

The creation of a French-Saudi Task Force was also announced to coordinate efforts and deliver tangible outcomes in energy transition domains.