Saudi Arabia’s Liquid Displacement Programme (LDP) is a cornerstone of the kingdom’s energy mix alongside the National Renewable Energy Programme, said Khalid Alnasser, Senior Planning Engineer, Ministry of Energy. 

 

At the SGI Talks, Revolutionising Industry, Agriculture, and Utilities, Alnasser detailed the progress of the kingdom’s new highly efficient gas-fired power plants and in power generation and desalination plants conversion projects from liquid fuel to gas and reverse osmosis technologies. 

 

“To achieve the goal of displacing over one million barrels of liquid oil daily by 2030, highly efficient gas-fired power plants with carbon capture readiness will provide a total capacity of 42 GW of electricity generation,” he said. 

 

Bigger actions

He noted that four stations with a capacity of 5.6 GW are already operational, 9 GW are under construction, 21 GW have been awarded for construction, and 6 GW are slated for tendering in 2025. “Yes, it’s true, we imagine and dream big, but our actions are bigger,” he added.

 

Hisham Alfouzan, General Manager, Energy and Utility Affairs, Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, addressed the LDP’s significant impact on Saudi Arabia’s industrial sector, which accounts for one of the kingdom’s primary energy consumption sectors. He emphasised that liquid fuel displacement enhances efficiency and competitiveness for industrial facilities. “We work with companies on their transformation plans, helping them transition to efficient energy sources such as gas and electricity,” he said. 

 

Alfouzan reported that 10 companies are now connected to the national power grid, two are utilising gas, and one recently connected to electricity, resulting in greater sustainability and significantly reduced energy costs.

 

Agriculture sector

Nouf Bader Albraheem, Project Manager and Data Expert, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, outlined the LDP’s role in transitioning Saudi Arabia’s agriculture sector to more sustainable energy use, including electrifying equipment such as tractors, harvesters, and irrigation pumps. 

 

“We aim to displace 27,000 barrels of oil per day by connecting the agriculture sector to the electric grid,” she said. Albraheem revealed that over 18,000 farms have been surveyed, creating a detailed digital database of consumption patterns to guide the transition. An e-portal has also been launched to facilitate farm owners’ requests for electrical service and provide comprehensive support throughout the transition process, driving sustainability across the sector.

 

SGI Talks run daily in the SGI Pavilion at 3pm. Tomorrow’s session, titled ‘Awareness Through Action,’ will feature Hend Moughrabieh, Director of Programmes, Saudi Youth Society.--TradeArabia News Service