KSA + France energy cooperation framework is taking shape: Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman met with his French counterpart Agnes Pannier-Runacher in Riyadh to discuss a previously signed energy agreement, the Saudi Press Agency reports, citing a joint statement. Bin Salman and French Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna signed an MoU in February to increase cooperation in renewable energy, energy efficiency and storage, and smart grids. The agreement was also designed to enhance collaboration in fields like climate change-mitigation tech and opened up avenues for cooperation between the two countries on nuclear energy use, clean hydrogen, and electricity interconnection.

Low-carbon hydrogen production will be taking center stage: Clean hydrogen and the technology fuelling its production will be a focus area within the agreement, the statement notes. Enhanced cooperation between the two countries on the tech behind hydrogen production, transmission, and distribution stages will aim to advance the rollout of renewable energy and low-carbon hydrogen. Increased business cooperation is also included in the agreement’s scope to facilitate more private sector investments to unlock future hydrogen partnerships. Finally, regulation will also play a large role within the agreement, with the two countries intending to draft a roadmap to establish a common certification for emission life cycle assessments to boost hydrogen trading.

France has been ramping up its investments in Saudi this year: French oil and gas giant TotalEnergies joined a Saudi-Japanese consortium to build a 119 MW solar plant in Saudi Arabia costing a total of USD 100 mn earlier this month. A JV between TotalEnergies and KSA’s Zahid Group is involved in a variety of large solar projects in different regions in KSA, eyeing growth in wind projects, and looking at partnerships with local players to build the circular economy through projects in plastic recycling and used cooking oil. On the sidelines of the France-Saudi Arabia Investment Forum in June, Saudi Arabia and France signed 24 preliminary agreements worth USD 2.9 bn in a number sectors including low-carbon energy.

IN OTHER CLIMATE DIPLO NEWS- The UAE is expanding renewables cooperation with Pakistan and South Korea: UAE's Energy Ministry signed an MoU with Pakistan to boost UAE renewable energy investments in the Southeast Asian country, COP28 said on Thursday. COP28 President-Designate Sultan Al Jaber attended the signing ceremony, which took place on the sidelines of a meeting discussing the COP28 agenda, climate financing, and operationalising the loss and damage fund, amongst other topics, Wam reported. The UAE also agreed with South Korea to expand economic cooperation in 11 strategic sectors at the UAE-South Korea Joint Economic Committee, including in the green economy and clean energy, Yonhap News Agency reported on Friday.

Tags: