28-07-2025
Energy minister inaugurates carbon capture unit at KAPSARC
RIYADH: A new test unit for carbon capture technology was inaugurated by Saudi Arabia's energy minister on Sunday following its installation at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center in Riyadh.
Developed in partnership with Swiss company Climeworks, the unit is already operational, capturing carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere.
A key objective of the project is to assess the unit's performance under the Kingdom's harsh climatic conditions and high temperatures, differing from similar technologies employed in colder countries.
The inauguration follows an announcement in March from Saudi Aramco, which launched the Kingdom's first direct air capture test unit.
The new unit highlights Saudi Arabia's commitment to advancing the circular carbon economy by deploying direct air capture solutions in pursuit of its climate objectives aligned with Vision 2030 sustainability goals.
It also demonstrates the economic potential of localizing direct air capture technologies, leveraging the country's vast renewable energy resources.
The installation of the unit is part of a broader feasibility study launched after a memorandum of understanding was signed last December during the Saudi Green Initiative Forum.
Saudi Arabia has announced a target to capture and utilize up to 44 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually by 2035 through the development of major Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage hubs in the eastern and western regions.
These centers will be designed to collect industrial emissions and convert captured carbon into high-value products.
Ongoing studies are also exploring the potential to localize key materials and components of carbon capture systems, enhancing opportunities to build a robust domestic supply chain for the emerging sector.
