EDF and TAQA Geothermal Unite to Revolutionize Saudi Arabia’s Renewable Energy Future

EDF and TAQA Geothermal Forge a Landmark Partnership to Advance Geothermal Energy in Saudi Arabia

By:Robert Buluma

In a move set to redefine Saudi Arabia’s energy landscape, EDF Saudi Arabia and TAQA Geothermal Energy Company have signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the deployment of geothermal energy technologies in the Kingdom. This strategic agreement was formalized on FebKoruary 12, 2025, during the third edition of the PIF Private Sector Forum at the prestigious King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center in Riyadh.

Geothermal Energy is well poised to keep on powering new frontiers and this is Great to find new fields ramping up for the heat beneath our feet

A Bold Vision for Sustainable Energy

The partnership between EDF and TAQA Geothermal marks a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s pursuit of clean, renewable energy solutions. The MoU aims to explore and develop geothermal power generation, HVAC applications, and Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES), leveraging the untapped geothermal potential beneath the Arabian Peninsula.

Omar Aldaweesh, CEO of EDF Saudi Arabia, highlighted the company’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s energy transition:

"This partnership is a natural progression of EDF’s longstanding commitment to Saudi Arabia’s energy sector. Over the past decade, we have actively contributed to the Kingdom’s energy landscape through our expertise in sustainable solutions, and this MoU further strengthens our role in advancing innovative technologies. By collaborating with TAQA Geothermal, we are leveraging our extensive experience to explore new frontiers in geothermal energies and compressed air energy storage.”

Meshary Al-Ayed, CEO of TAQA Geothermal, underscored the transformative potential of geothermal energy:

Geothermal energy utilization whether via direct heat use or electricity generation is a critical and untapped resource to drive the global transition to clean energy. As a reliable, renewable baseload resource, geothermal has the potential to redefine space cooling in the Kingdom, enhancing efficiency while significantly reducing the carbon footprint.”

Unlocking Saudi Arabia’s Geothermal Potential

Geothermal energy presents a game-changing opportunity for Saudi Arabia, a country known for its vast hydrocarbon resources. Unlike intermittent renewables such as solar and wind, geothermal provides a stable, round-the-clock power source. The EDF-TAQA partnership will focus on harnessing this potential to develop advanced geothermal cooling systems, a revolutionary approach to meeting the Kingdom’s growing energy demands while cutting emissions.

Gudmundur Thoroddsson, CTO of TAQA Geothermal and Chairman of Reykjavik Geothermal, also attended the signing ceremony, emphasizing the global expertise being brought into this collaboration. Reykjavik Geothermal has played a pivotal role in pioneering geothermal projects worldwide, and its involvement signals a strong commitment to knowledge transfer and innovation.

Aligning with Vision 2030

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 sets ambitious targets for economic diversification and renewable energy integration. The EDF-TAQA partnership aligns seamlessly with this national strategy, supporting the Ministry of Energy’s renewable energy mandates while positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in geothermal technology within the Middle East.

This collaboration also aligns with EDF’s Ambitions 2035, reinforcing the company’s global commitment to decarbonization and energy innovation. The fusion of EDF’s engineering expertise and TAQA Geothermal’s regional knowledge creates a formidable force poised to unlock new energy frontiers.

A New Era for Energy in the Kingdom

The signing of this MoU signals the dawn of a new era for geothermal energy in Saudi Arabia. As the Kingdom continues to champion sustainability, partnerships like this one serve as catalysts for progress, driving technological advancements that will shape the future of energy.

KAUST and TAQA had earlier on worked together in bolstering the regions Geothermal resources

With the backing of two industry giants, the geothermal sector in Saudi Arabia is on the brink of a transformation one that promises cleaner air, reduced reliance on fossil fuels, and a sustainable energy model for generations to come.

Stay tuned for more updates as EDF and TAQA Geothermal embark on this exciting journey toward a greener, more resilient Saudi Arabia.

Source:TAQA.com

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