Shared opportunities
Germany’s innovative solutions for the energy transition in the Gulf region
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are committed to renewable energy and are continuing to focus on the diversification of their energy sectors. German companies are well positioned to serve these demanding markets with their innovative and leading technologies and services.
Germany’s Energy Transition
The Energiewende is Germany’s path to a secure, environmentally friendly and economically successful future.
It represents the decision to fundamentally restructure energy supply, moving away from coal and nuclear energy towards renewable energy sources. Significant energy savings and the expansion of renewables are the key elements of Germany’s Energiewende. By 2030 renewables are targeted to provide 80% of German electricity consumption. At the same time, total energy demand should be halved through significant energy savings.
Shared opportunities
Due to the diversification of energy imports and Germany’s ambition to achieve climate neutrality, the region represents an important partner.
The region and its outstanding natural conditions for renewables offer vast potential for local value and job creation. Renewable energies are increasingly competitive with other sources of electricity. The opportunities for solar and, where conditions allow for it, wind, are not only reflected in lower prices but also economic potential, amongst others, creating sustainable job opportunities.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: net-zero target by 2060
In 2021, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced its net-zero target by 2060 and has set ambitious goals for the expansion of renewable energy.
By 2030, 58.7 GW of renewable energy capacity is planned with an interim target of 27.3 GW by 2024. Since 2017, renewable energy projects, especially solar energy, with a total volume of about 7.1 GW have been awarded at extremely low prices.
A national hydrogen strategy is currently being developed and ambitious targets for hydrogen production have been set. The goal is to produce 4 million tons (66 TWh) of ‘clean’ hydrogen by 2030 (blue and green hydrogen).Green hydrogen and ammonia production is already being ramped up next to the planned new metropolitan region of NEOM in north-western Saudi Arabia. Thyssenkrupp and SPG Steiner are two German companies involved in the construction in the green ammonia site in NEOM.
Global decarbonization through international cooperation and trade
Germany is eager to intensify its collaboration to support its international partners in their efforts to transform their economies towards renewable energies and sustainability. Renewable energy and energy efficiency will shape the economic landscape in the upcoming decades. The innovative technologies and solutions developed by German companies and tested in the context of the German “Energiewende” can be of use in the region’s transition. They offer new opportunities for new business relations and strategic partnerships.
Read the entire publication prepared on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action in the context of bilateral energy cooperation with the countries of the Arabian Peninsula.
It introduces the German energy transition to stakeholders in the region and showcases innovative solutions providers from all areas of the energy sector, published in November 2022.
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This publication is issued by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action as part of its public relations work in cooperation with Guidehouse, the German Saudi Arabian Liaison for Economic Affairs (GESALO) and The German Emirati Joint Council for Industry and Commerce in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).