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KSA + Japan to cooperate on mineral resource exploration: Saudi Arabia and Japan have signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) agreement in the field of mining and mineral resources, according to a ministry statement on X. The MoC seeks to expand on the Manar initiative launched between the two sides in July to expand green energy partnerships, Al Arabiya said. The agreement was signed by Saudi Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Bendar Al Khorayef and Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Saito Ken on the sidelines of the Saudi-Japan Energy Dialogue held in Riyadh earlier this week.
About the Manar initiative: The Saudi-Japan joint initiative aims to promote clean energy and sustainable materials, with a focus on establishing Saudi Arabia as a hub for clean energy and energy-related supply chains, the Saudi Press Agency reported at the time. Key areas of focus include hydrogen and ammonia technologies, synthetic fuels, circular carbon economy, carbon recycling, direct air carbon capture, and critical minerals, the news outlet added.
ALSO- Acwa joins Japanese think tank: KSA renewable energy giant Acwa Power has joined the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ), a think tank focused on energy, economic and environmental issues, Attaqa reports. The membership will boost Acwa’s research and capabilities in the renewable energy sector. Under the Manar initiative, the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center had signed an MoU in July with the IEEJ aimed at laying the foundation for joint ventures in the green sector, and boosting applied research projects for the energy transition.
REFRESHER- Japan made big moves in KSA this week:In partnership with Japan’s government, Saudi Arabia inaugurated on Saturday the kingdom’s first 3D concrete printing plant in the Sudair Industrial City. Saudi Arabia’s Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Company (Petro Rabigh) — a JV between Saudi Aramco and Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical — also made a big move last week opening its new carbon capture and utilization facility located north of Jeddah. The facility is set to capture 300 metric tons of CO2 daily from the Japanese company’s Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG) plant, equivalent to a 85% reduction of the plant’s annual emissions.
