The Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) signed a SR4.5 billion contract with General Electric on Tuesday to establish the Kingdom’s first fossil fuel and solar power plant near the Red Sea port of Dhuba in the Tabuk region.
The 600-megawatt (MW) integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) plant will primarily burn natural gas, but will generate 50MW with the support of solar energy to increase fuel efficiency.
Water and Electricity Minister Abdullah Al-Hussayen said the mega Dhuba plant would enable Saudi Arabia to export electricity to Egypt, Turkey and Europe. It will be commissioned in 2017.
In addition to the establishment of an integrated green power plant, the contract includes construction of supply lines to Tabuk. “It is the largest environment-friendly project in the Kingdom,” the minister said.
ISCC plants reduce emissions of climate-warming carbon dioxide by increasing the amount of steam available for driving power generation turbines, without having to burn more gas or oil.
“This project will make power crises in the Kingdom a thing of the past,” said Tabuk Gov. Prince Fahd bin Sultan. He said the electricity sector would grow stronger in the coming years.
The SEC’s chief executive Ziyad Al-Shiha said the plant would have three power generating units — two powered by gas and the third by steam — to produce 550MW in addition to solar energy-powered units to produce 50MW. “This makes it one of the largest power plants in the world.”
He said 25 Saudi engineers and 80 technicians would be trained to run the project, adding that 30 to 35 percent of products used for building the plant would be manufactured in the Kingdom. He estimated the cost of construction work at the plant at SR2.5 billion.
He said a new power transport project would be launched in Tabuk to make the region the largest hub for high-voltage direct current. “It will make use of the power grids linking northwest and northeast of the Kingdom and strengthen the network between Tabuk and Madinah,” he added.
He estimated the value of new electricity projects in Tabuk at SR 10 billion.
SR4.5bn Saudi solar revolution
SR4.5bn Saudi solar revolution
UN official lauds KSrelief’s landmine work in Yemen
- The UN official emphasized the importance of continuing such humanitarian projects to achieve stability in Yemen and protect civilians
Riyadh: The UN special envoy’s military adviser to Yemen, Antony Hayward, praised the work carried out by Saudi aid agency KSrelief’s Project Masam to clear landmines in Yemen.
During his visit to the agency’s headquarters in Marib, he said that the project works to protect the lives of civilians and secure large areas of Yemeni territory despite the challenges posed by landmines.
The UN official emphasized the importance of continuing such humanitarian projects to achieve stability in Yemen and protect civilians, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Last week, meanwhile, members of Project Masam removed 840 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen, including anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines and unexploded ordnance, according to a recent report.
Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said 470,416 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.
The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.
The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.
The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.
Teams are responsible for clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of landmines.
Saudi culture minister engages with manga students in Tokyo
- Prince Badr highlighted the Saudi leadership’s strong commitment to developing human capabilities across various fields
Riyadh: Saudi Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan met Saudi scholarship students participating in the Manga Industry program in Tokyo.
The program, organized in collaboration between the commission and Manga Productions, a subsidiary of Misk Foundation, aims to develop talented manga artists through professional training rooted in Japanese techniques, the art form’s birthplace.
Prince Badr highlighted the Saudi leadership’s strong commitment to developing human capabilities across various fields, emphasizing the importance of academic and professional training in cultural disciplines.
The meeting was attended by the CEO of the commission, Mohammed Hasan Alwan, CEO of Manga Productions Essam Bukhary and students studying manga art at Kadokawa Contents Academy, a leading Japanese institution for training and recruiting manga talent.
The program offers virtual workshops, intensive training courses and overseas training in Japan. It also includes competitions blending manga with Saudi cultural themes, such as Munjanha, which transforms Arabic proverbs into manga stories; Manga Al-Qaseed, which adapts Arabic poetry; and Manga Al-Ibil, which celebrates the cultural symbolism of camels in Saudi heritage.
More than 1,850 participants have benefited from the program’s virtual workshops, with 115 advancing to intensive training, producing 115 manga stories. Of these, 21 students were selected for advanced training in Japan.
Umrah guests tour Madinah’s historic sites
RIYADH: The first group of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program for Umrah and Visit toured the King Fahd Glorious Qur’an Printing Complex in Madinah.
The visit, part of a cultural program by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, aimed to enhance the cultural experience for visitors and Umrah performers in Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The pilgrims toured the complex’s technical and administrative departments, learning about the various stages of printing the Holy Qur’an, preservation efforts, and its translation into multiple languages.
The first group included 250 prominent Islamic figures from 12 countries, part of a total of 1,000 Umrah performers from 66 countries. The guests will visit over four groups as part of the program.
At the end of the visit, the complex representatives gifted copies of the Holy Qur’an to the guests.
The group also visited the Battle of Uhud site, Mount Al-Ramah, and the Uhud Martyrs’ Cemetery, learning about this historic turning point in Islam.
The program includes meetings with imams of the Prophet’s Mosque and renowned scholars.
Several guests expressed gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for hosting them, thanking the ministry for the excellent services provided.
Hanafi bin Hamza from Malaysia praised the facilities and expressed joy at visiting the Kingdom. Norasni Binti Muhammad Suh, also from Malaysia, conveyed her gratitude for the program, while Rebuan bin Abdullah thanked the Saudi leadership for the initiative, highlighting the Kingdom’s commitment to serving Muslims worldwide.
Automaki from Japan called the program outstanding, appreciating the exceptional services and warm hospitality extended by the Saudi leadership.
Embracing the skies: Riyadh aviation show inspires next generation of pilots
- Saudi Hot Air Balloon Federation’s first female pilot wants more women to sign up
RIYADH: The Saudi Hot Air Balloon Federation was among the top organizations at an aviation show that captivated the Kingdom’s capital with stunning aerobatic displays and an impressive lineup of aircraft.
Sand and Fun 2024, which concluded on Saturday at Thumamah Airport, showcased the Kingdom’s wide-ranging aviation sector.
The federation presented a collection of colorful hot air balloons to demonstrate the experience to adults and younger generations as part of the efforts to raise awareness about hot air ballooning and to inspire a new generation of pilots.
Among the pilots was Afrah Al-Harbi, the first female Saudi hot air balloon pilot to graduate from the federation.
Al-Harbi is on a mission to cultivate a community of female pilots, encouraging women to explore the exhilarating world of hot air ballooning. Her story is an inspiring testament to the opportunities available to women in aviation and the importance of representation in this field.
“At the beginning, I was studying at the university, but the Saudi Hot Air Balloon Federation launched a training program to train balloon pilots,” she told Arab News. “Thank God, I registered, and I was accepted. After that, I started my studies to become a balloon captain. The federation covered the entire mission, which is considered a grant from the federation. I obtained the European EASA license, and then I also obtained the Saudi license from the General Authority of Civil Aviation.”
The federation offers structured programs to equip aspiring pilots with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Hot air balloons first appeared in the Kingdom in AlUla as part of the Winter at Tantora Festival in 2018. This event not only showcased the beauty of ballooning, but also laid the groundwork for the establishment of the federation.
The hot air balloon sport is known and famous worldwide. We need a type of it that people can take part in within the Kingdom, especially for global competitions.
Abdulrahman Al-Wahaibi, Saudi hot air balloon pilot
The organization plays a crucial role in promoting balloon culture and raising awareness of the sport.
“We want to show people that hot air ballooning is not only fun, but also safe,” Al-Harbi said, emphasizing the importance of public perception in the growth of the sport.
Her career has included a visit to the Netherlands, where she underwent extensive training.
“My studies in the Netherlands were quite lengthy, but it was an incredibly enriching experience,” she said. “The training included both theoretical subjects and practical sessions to help us obtain our licenses.”
The rigorous training not only prepared Al-Harbi for the technical aspects of flying, but also instilled a deep appreciation of the art of ballooning.
Abdulrahman Al-Wahaibi also spoke about his journey in the world of hot air ballooning, which began was he was a student in Australia.
“I looked at a balloon for the first time in my life and was fascinated by its shape,” he told Arab News. “I had to try the experience, so I did, as a passenger. The experience was beautiful, and I thought we needed this in Saudi Arabia. At that time, Saudi Arabia did not have hot air balloons.”
Al-Wahaibi dedicated himself to bringing the ballooning experience back to Saudi Arabia, sharing it with family, friends, and the community.
This included studying aerospace engineering and breaking records in Australia for the fastest training period. He expressed pride in being part of the first Arab country to take part in international hot air balloon competitions, highlighting the significant strides made by the Saudi Hot Air Balloon Federation.
“The hot air balloon sport is known and famous worldwide,” Al-Wahaibi said. “We need a type of it that people can take part in within the Kingdom, especially for global competitions.”
His vision aligns with the federation’s mission to broaden participation and elevate the sport on an international level.
Based in AlUla, the Saudi Hot Air Balloon Federation plans festivals designed to integrate the natural environment and the grandeur of the historic landmarks of ancient civilizations such as Hegra.
The five-day event at Thumamah Airport gave visitors the opportunity to meet pilots, learn about the intricacies of ballooning, and even experience the thrill of a balloon ride.
With inspiring pilots such as Al-Harbi and Al-Wahaibi at the helm, the outlook for hot air ballooning in the years to come looks as bright as the skies adorned with colorful balloons.
Saudi ambassador presents credentials to Cypriot president
- Al-Shabili conveyed the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the president
NICOSIA: Saudi Ambassador to Cyprus Fawaz bin Abdulrahman Al-Shabili presented his credentials to the President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides at a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in the capital Nicosia, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
Al-Shabili conveyed the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the president, as well as their wishes for steady progress and prosperity for Cyprus.
Meanwhile, Saudi Vice Minister of Commerce and CEO of the National Competitiveness Center Eman bint Habbas Al-Mutairi led a Saudi delegation of government officials and business leaders to the UK to bolster bilateral economic relations.
