Saudi Arabia is targeting 81.7GW of grid-connected renewable capacity by 2030, Saudi Energy stated in its H1 earnings call this week. The figure is lower than the 100-130GW headline renewable target previously cited by the Ministry of Energy, but is one that looks eminently achievable given strong momentum in the sector.

Capacity currently stands at 18.8GW (MEES, 7 August), putting it well on course for the year-end target of 20GW. This would mean the addition of an annual-record 7.7GW this year, and would put Saudi Arabia around a quarter of the way towards achieving the 2030 target. Given the rate at which the expansion is accelerating, chasing down 81.7GW appears a very realistic goal. (CONTINUED - 789 WORDS)