Saudi crown prince launches ‘King Salman Automotive Cluster’ at KAEC

RIYADH: An alliance of 25 Hungarian companies is preparing to invest in Saudi Arabia’s technology and digital transformation sectors, seizing the opportunities offered by Vision 2030. 

The announcement, made at the Saudi-Hungarian Business Forum in Riyadh organized by the Federation of Saudi Chambers, underscored the growing economic ties between the two nations, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The forum was attended by Hungarian Parliament Deputy Speaker Istvan Jakab, Saudi-Hungarian Business Council Chairman Marwan Al-Mutlaq, Shoura Council Chairman Ibrahim bin Mohammad Al-Qannas, and Hungarian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Balazs Selmeci.

The initiative builds on the creation of the Hungarian-Saudi Holding Co. last year, a consortium focused on digital transformation and investment partnerships across Saudi Arabia’s digital, financial, and food sectors.

Trade between Saudi Arabia and Hungary reached SR1.8 billion ($480 million) in 2023, reflecting a 27 percent increase, with the Kingdom’s exports surging 216 percent to SR584 million and imports at SR1.2 billion.

Jakab highlighted the strength of Hungary’s relationship with Saudi Arabia, saying: “The relationship with the Shoura Council and the Federation of Saudi Chambers is strong,” and emphasized the potential of the holding company to foster investment and collaboration in key sectors.

Al-Mutlaq noted Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the tech sector, ranking fourth globally in e-government and tenth in e-commerce. 

He added that the Saudi-Hungarian Business Council, in its new term, will focus on strengthening investment partnerships and boosting bilateral trade.

Hungary has maintained diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia for over 28 years, contributing to ongoing bilateral cooperation. The country’s advanced IT sector presents opportunities to share expertise with Saudi Arabia’s growing technology landscape.

As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, the country is making substantial investments in digital transformation, focusing on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the Internet of things to build a significant digital economy by 2030. 

Government spending on technology is expected to reach $24.7 billion by 2025, according to a report published by the International Trade Administration. 

Key initiatives include the Public Investment Fund backing advanced tech firms like Alat, which focuses on AI, semiconductors, and robotics, with projected investments of around $100 billion by 2030.

RIYADH: Saudi utility giant ACWA Power has signed two agreements with Aramco to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy projects and evaluate the performance of vanadium flow batteries in the Kingdom’s climate.

The first agreement, inked during ACWA Power’s third flagship Innovation Days event, involves the development of an advanced photovoltaic energy forecasting project. The initiative will use big data analytics and machine learning to improve solar power generation predictions.

By improving forecasting accuracy, the model aims to strengthen grid stability, optimize energy dispatch, and improve microgrid management.

The second deal focuses on measuring the efficiency and durability of vanadium flow battery technology in Saudi Arabia’s climate. This initiative will examine how well these batteries can store energy over extended periods and contribute to the increased use of renewables, particularly for water desalination.

This undertaking aligns with the Kingdom’s strategic push for clean energy, reinforcing the initiative’s goal to advance collaboration in renewables and hydrogen technologies while solidifying the nation’s role in the global energy transition.

“By investing in cutting-edge desalination technologies alongside renewable energy innovation and green hydrogen production solutions, we are paving the way for a more resilient and sustainable energy and water infrastructure in Saudi Arabia,” said Thomas Altmann, executive vice president for Innovation and New Technology at ACWA Power.

Four other agreements were signed by ACWA Power with UK-based Bluewater Bio, global chemicals producer Dow, Australian hydrogen electrolyzer manufacturer Hysata, and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.

ACWA Power and Bluewater Bio partnered to test advanced filtration technology for desalination projects in Saudi Arabia, with the aims of enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of the process.

Additionally, a desalination-related agreement was signed with Dow to test its anti-scaling chemicals at ACWA Power’s pilot facility.

This initiative aims to gather valuable data on the effectiveness of these chemicals in preventing scaling and contributing to the development of more sustainable solutions.

A pilot agreement between ACWA Power and Australian hydrogen technology company Hysata will focus on advancing cost-effective green hydrogen production, and will facilitate an in-country demonstration of the firm’s high-efficiency electrolyzer technology in the Saudi Arabia. 

In addition, ACWA Power and KAUST have extended their master research agreement, to further strengthen their partnership in innovative sustainable solutions for water desalination and solar energy.

Since 2019, the two entities have jointly operated the Center of Excellence for Desalination and Solar Power, fostering research and innovation to support the Kingdom’s ambitious sustainability agenda. 

These agreements underscore Saudi Arabia’s commitment to technological advancement and energy transition, reinforcing its leadership in the global shift toward renewables and sustainable water solutions.

The utility company also signed a framework agreement with Fraunhofer IMWS, Fraunhofer ISC, and Fraunhofer IWES, initiating a strategic collaboration in renewable energy and green hydrogen research and development.

This partnership aims to drive innovation in the clean energy sector by leveraging Fraunhofer's expertise in materials science, energy systems, and hydrogen technologies.

The agreement lays the groundwork for joint research initiatives focused on enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and technological advancement in the global energy transition.

Under the theme Innovate for Impact, the inaugural three-day event was held in Riyadh from Feb. 3 to 5, and welcomed over 1,000 delegates.

Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy, the gathering focused on elevant technologies brought together government dignitaries, industry leaders, and innovators, researchers, and academics to discuss  accelerating the deployment of new technologies, institutionalizing foresight and forward-thinking in the energy transition landscape, and making significant contributions to the realization of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.