Saudi Arabia announces the trial of the first hydrogen-powered train in the Middle East
Weather of Arabia - The Saudi Railway Company (SAR) announced on Sunday the start of hydrogen train trials in the Kingdom, making it the leader of all Arab countries in using clean fuel in transportation, as part of the country’s efforts to reduce the carbon footprint, and the Saudi Minister of Energy, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said that the trial run of the first hydrogen-powered train in the Middle East will begin next week, and he expressed his hope that the region will witness the first hydrogen-powered train in the coming months. An agreement was signed between “SAR” and the French company Alstom to conduct the operational trials and studies necessary to equip This type of train is suitable for the Saudi environment and atmosphere, in preparation for its inclusion in service in the future.
During the opening of the 2023 Climate Week activities in the capital, Riyadh , Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudi Minister of Energy, expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to progress in the field of climate action and adopting a comprehensive approach. In this context, he pointed to the importance of using the circular carbon economy, which encourages... To take advantage of all available technologies, energy sources, and opportunities that can contribute to achieving climate goals.
In his opening speech, the Prince praised the Kingdom’s hosting of the second edition of Climate Week in the Middle East and North Africa region, stressing that this reflects the Kingdom’s firm commitment to searching for solutions to current climate challenges.
Climate Week in the Middle East and North Africa 2023
The activities of Climate Week in the Middle East and North Africa for the year 2023 began on Sunday in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. This event was organized in cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Its aim is to highlight the challenges and solutions in this region, which is one of the regions most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Climate Week continued in Riyadh from October 8 to 12 , where the challenges and opportunities available for environmental action and support in the Middle East and North Africa region will be discussed. This aims to strengthen global efforts to combat climate change and accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement. This event is expected to contribute to the preparations for the United Nations Conference . United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) , which will be held at the end of this year in the UAE.
Impact on climate change and the environment
The Middle East and North Africa region is considered one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change, with temperatures expected to be up to 20% higher than global averages. As it already suffers from water scarcity, the increase in temperatures is expected to exacerbate the problem of severe and sustained drought in this region. The use of clean transportation technologies such as hydrogen trains can play a crucial role in reducing these impacts.
The first hydrogen train in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The government company announced in a statement quoted by the Saudi Press Agency that it will begin experiments this October, without specifying a specific date with certainty. This step represents the first start in the Middle East and North Africa region of operating hydrogen trains, as it reflects the Kingdom’s commitment and initiative towards adopting sustainable transportation technologies.
The Minister of Transport and Logistics, Saleh Al-Jasser, indicated that this step comes within the framework of the national transport strategy and achieving the goals of transitioning to a more sustainable transport system using the latest smart technologies.
Al-Jasser, who serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of SAR, confirmed that the company is committed to contributing to the implementation of the Saudi Green Initiative, which emerges from Vision 2030, which aims to increase the use of clean energy, reduce carbon emissions, and protect the environment.
Green hydrogen production...a future investment
The hydrogen train is considered one of the most prominent innovations in the field of sustainable transportation, as the energy needed to operate it can be generated without releasing any carbon emissions. It is expected to enhance the development of the railway network and renew the infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and also contribute to supporting the economic environment and facilitating investment flows. The plans aim Future expansion will increase the length of the railway network by more than 8,000 additional kilometers, to enhance the capabilities of transporting passengers and goods by trains and implement modern technology and advanced technical solutions that contribute to reducing the environmental impact of railway transport. Officials expect that strengthening these efforts will enhance the competitiveness of local products and enhance the implementation of "Vision 2030" . Which includes directing investments and developing various industrial and commercial sectors, in addition to supporting the tourism and entertainment industry.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is considered the largest Arab economy, and currently has three railway networks extending over distances of more than 5,500 km, which include the East Train, the North Train, and the Haramain Express Train. During the past decade, it has succeeded in transporting more than 33 million passengers and more than 70 million tons of goods.
This means that the railway infrastructure has successfully carried more than 6 million truck trips, reducing the number of road accidents and reducing the death rate by more than fifty percent over the past five years.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE alliance to produce hydrogen
In 2018 , the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced a major project to build a railway network linking it to the United Arab Emirates, linking cities, ports, and industrial centers. This project comes within the framework of a strategic vision aimed at pursuing progress and building a sustainable economy.
It is worth noting that Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the two largest oil and gas producers in OPEC, are competing to become exporters of clean hydrogen, and with the increasing search for alternatives with a lower environmental impact, the Kingdom seeks to develop the hydrogen industry, and does not want to miss the opportunity to export to global markets and maintain revenues. Huge sector.
Mega hydrogen plant project in NEOM
Saudi Arabia is making strides towards building a huge factory at a cost of five billion dollars, which will rely entirely on renewable energy from the sun and wind, and will be one of the largest producers of green hydrogen in the world when it opens in the planned city of NEOM in 2025.
Current data indicate that the cost of producing one kilogram of clean hydrogen is slightly less than $5, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency, and this project will be a focal point in NEOM’s journey to become a major global destination for providing alternative solutions that attract investors from all over the world to accelerate human progress. Clean hydrogen is produced using renewable energy instead of fossil fuels.
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The Middle East and North Africa Climate Week 2023 launches in Saudi Arabia
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