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
Events at Ithra attract more than 100,000 in 3 days
RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture has attracted more than 100,000 visitors in three days with its vibrant lineup of cultural events and exclusive shows, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
The Children’s Museum captivated young audiences with performances and interactive exhibits, including “Eid in a Bag” creations where children designed their own colors and patterns.
The “World Table” workshop introduced participants to foods from various cultures, while other highlights included “The Scent of Eid,” “Eid Riddles,” a “Balloon Art” workshop, and the imaginative show “What If I Were the Sky.”
Visitors also enjoyed family-friendly performances like “Between the Clouds” and “Between Memories” at the Ithra Gardens play area.
The Energy Exhibit also attracted an enthusiastic crowd with hands-on activities such as “Let’s Fly with Science,” “Fun Without Corners,” and “What Does the Light Hide?”
The festivities concluded with cinematic screenings and musical performances, including a show blending video game music with live piano and guitar.
Baha exhibition highlights Saudi maritime legacy
RIYADH: An exhibition in Baha celebrated Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural and environmental heritage while showcasing its maritime traditions through diverse artworks.
Accompanying the Theater Tour initiative in Baha, the exhibition saw a strong turnout from residents and visitors, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Those attending praised the exhibition’s diverse artistic content, reflecting the Kingdom’s cultural richness, especially its maritime heritage central to the project, as well as the mountainous and cultural identity of Baha.
The event featured 16 paintings in contemporary styles inspired by the Saudi environment; three photographs capturing nature, agriculture, and harvest; and three Arabic calligraphy artworks highlighting the beauty and authenticity of scripts.
The exhibition also showcased two key elements of national identity: the marine environment, symbolized by fishing, boats, and sea chants, and the natural landscapes and traditional crafts of Baha.
The strong attendance reflected the growing interest in cultural initiatives that preserve heritage and strengthen ties between younger generations and the Kingdom’s artistic legacy.
Those attending also witnessed the craftsmanship behind fishing cages and nets and gained insight into the ancient profession of pearl diving, the SPA reported.
Craftsmen demonstrated the use of natural tools in diving, and the manual weaving of fishing nets, offering a nostalgic connection to the past and the lives of coastal communities.
Organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, the three-day Theater Tour initiative in Baha also attracted crowds to the award-winning play “Bahr.”
The initiative takes performances to cities, governorates and villages throughout the Kingdom, and the first phase features “Bahr.”
The production now moves to Jubail from April 17-19, Dammam (April 24-26), and Al-Ahsa (May 1-3).
Inspired by maritime heritage, “Bahr” explores the traditions of sailors’ lives, particularly diving and pearl hunting.
The production is part of the commission’s strategy to promote culture across the Kingdom.
KSrelief restores hope in war-affected regions
- Saudi demining efforts in Yemen, Iraq, Azerbaijan protect civilians and support a return to normal life
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has made significant efforts over the years to respond to humanitarian crises, conflicts, and natural disasters worldwide.
KSrelief has implemented demining projects in Yemen, Azerbaijan and Iraq, valued at more than $241 million, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Project Masam in Yemen has cleared 486,651 land mines and unexploded ordnance since its launch in mid-2018, according to a recent report.
This total is made up of 325,378 items of unexploded ordnance, 146,285 anti-tank mines, 8,212 improvised explosive devices, and 6,776 anti-personnel mines, according to Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the project’s managing director.
“Every mine removed is a life potentially saved, a home reclaimed, a future restored. Demining is not just about removing explosives; it is about restoring hope, stability, and economic recovery,” Al-Gosaibi said.
Last week, the project’s teams destroyed 511 unexploded items, 23 anti-tank mines, six anti-personnel mines, and three improvised explosive devices.
Mines planted indiscriminately by the Houthis in Yemen pose a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.
The project is executed by Saudi personnel and international experts, with a team of 550 staff and 32 trained clearance teams working to remove various types of mines and ordnance, the SPA reported.
Operations have taken place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale, and Saada. The initiative also trains local demining engineers and equips them with modern tools.
KSrelief also supports Yemenis injured by explosive devices. It has established a prosthetics program that so far has benefited 25,340 individuals.
The program sets out to restore hope to mine victims by providing high-quality prosthetics and training local staff in manufacturing techniques. The total value of prosthetics projects in Yemen exceeds $39 million, according to SPA.
Since the conflict began, about 5 million people have been displaced in Yemen, many the result of land mines. Masam teams work to clear villages, roads and schools, enabling the safe movement of civilians and delivery of humanitarian aid.
On April 4, KSrelief marked International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action by raising awareness about the dangers of landmines and calling for increased efforts to combat them, protect lives, build capacities in affected countries, and ease victims’ suffering.
Al-Gosaibi said: “As one mine is cleared, dozens more are planted. This is not just a battle against explosives in the ground — it is a battle against the cycle of terror and suffering imposed on Yemeni civilians.
“We stand alongside millions of Yemenis to protect them from the imminent danger these weapons pose to their lives.”
KSrelief’s efforts to combat landmines extend beyond Yemen. In January 2024, the agency created financial grants to support landmine clearance in Azerbaijan, aiding reconstruction efforts and helping displaced people return home.
The goal is to improve the environment, protect civilians — especially women and children — build local capacities, ensure safe living conditions, maintain public health, and reduce the long-term impact of landmines on communities.
In April 2024, KSrelief also funded survey and clearance projects for cluster munitions and landmines in several Iraqi governorates. The initiative aims to create a safe, mine-free environment, enhance security, support livelihoods such as farming and livestock herding, and contribute to Iraq’s economic recovery.
Jouf hosts camel auction with strong turnout
RIYADH: Under the patronage of Jouf Gov. Prince Faisal bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, the second Camel Auction kicked off in the Dumat Al-Jandal governorate.
The opening on Saturday evening saw a strong turnout, with participation from camel owners and investors across the Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
The event blends cultural heritage with promising economic opportunities, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
The auction featured camels noted for their lineage, beauty, and strength, as participants competed to attract investors and heritage enthusiasts.
Camels are an integral part of Saudi Arabia’s cultural identity, closely associated with desert life and deeply rooted in Arab heritage.
The event serves as a key platform to stimulate the camel market and promote knowledge exchange among breeders and traders, the SPA reported.
It also supports the local economy and helps preserve authentic cultural heritage.
Education Ministry to showcase 134 inventions at Geneva exhibition
- Young minds from schools and universities to compete for seven major awards
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education is to participate in the 50th Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions, which is scheduled to take place from April 9 to 13.
The event will showcase 134 scientific inventions from Saudi Arabia, alongside more than 1,000 inventions from 35 countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia’s delegation will consist of representatives from universities and companies, and individual inventors and private-sector researchers, the SPA added.
Students from general education, universities, and technical training institutions, along with faculty members and inventors from around the world, will compete for seven major awards presented at the exhibition.
The inventions span a wide range of fields, including marine safety and technology, environmental technology and energy efficiency, nanotechnology and materials science, and security and biometric technology.
They also feature healthcare and medical devices, robotics and electromagnetic technology, transportation and infrastructure, and artificial intelligence.
Deputy Minister for International Cooperation Nasser Al-Aqili emphasized that the ministry’s participation reflected its commitment to supporting and nurturing students.
Al-Aqili, who is also the head of the Saudi delegation, highlighted the importance of increasing student participation in international scientific forums, aligning national priorities with research, development, and innovation.
This effort aligns with the goals of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to cultivate globally competitive citizens, according to the SPA.
Al-Aqili also noted the exhibition’s significance as a leading international platform for invention and innovation.
