EDF Saudi Arabia and TAQA Geothermal Energy Company have entered into a strategic partnership to develop geothermal energy technologies in Saudi Arabia. This collaboration aims to advance power generation, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, alongside compressed air energy storage solutions. The agreement was formalised at the third edition of the PIF Private Sector Forum, held at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center in Riyadh.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Omar Aldaweesh, CEO of EDF Saudi Arabia, and Meshary Al-Ayed, CEO of TAQA Geothermal Energy Company. This partnership reinforces both companies’ shared commitment to promoting innovative, low-carbon energy technologies in the Kingdom.
The signing ceremony was also attended by Gudmundur Thoroddsson, Chief Technology Officer of TAQA Geothermal and Chairman of Reykjavik Geothermal, a joint venture partner involved in the initiative.
Omar Aldaweesh, CEO of EDF Saudi Arabia, explained that this collaboration was a natural extension of the company’s ongoing efforts to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s energy sector. He said, “Over the past decade, EDF has been actively supporting the Kingdom’s energy transformation with sustainable solutions. This MoU strengthens our position, allowing us to explore new geothermal energy frontiers and advanced energy storage systems. It aligns with both Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and EDF’s Ambitions 2035, reinforcing our commitment to a sustainable energy future.”
Meshary Al-Ayed, CEO of TAQA Geothermal, highlighted the potential of geothermal energy as a reliable and renewable resource for the Kingdom’s energy needs. He stated, “Geothermal energy, whether used for direct heating or electricity generation, is an essential and underutilised resource in the global clean energy transition. Our partnership with EDF in geothermal solutions will help redefine space cooling systems, reduce carbon footprints, and enhance efficiency. This joint effort supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the Ministry of Energy’s renewable energy initiatives, contributing to the country’s economic diversification and sustainability goals.”
The collaboration is set to transform the Kingdom’s energy landscape by integrating advanced geothermal power and cooling technologies. With both companies bringing their expertise in renewable energy, the partnership aims to unlock the full potential of geothermal resources, positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in clean energy innovation.
Geothermal energy, often seen as a baseload energy source, has significant potential for supporting the growing demand for sustainable power and cooling systems. The partnership between EDF and TAQA will focus on harnessing this potential to meet the Kingdom’s expanding energy requirements while helping to reduce its carbon footprint.
The MoU marks a significant step in advancing Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy ambitions, providing a foundation for future projects that could have a lasting impact on the country’s energy strategy. The collaboration will also play a key role in supporting the country’s transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future, in line with Vision 2030.
With both EDF and TAQA committed to pioneering geothermal energy solutions, the partnership promises to be a major milestone in Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy journey.