With increase in demand for electricity at 7.5% per year, the major concern of Saudi Arabia is the amount
of CO2 being emitted. The country has the potential of generating 200 × 106 kWh from hydrothermal
sources and 120 × 106 terawatt hour from Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) sources. In addition to
electricity generation and desalination, the country has substantial source for direct application such as
space cooling and heating, a sector that consumes 80% of the electricity generated from fossil fuels.
Geothermal energy can offset easily 17 million kWh of electricity that is being used for desalination.
At least a part of 181,000 Gg of CO2 emitted by conventional space cooling units can also be mitigated
through ground-source heat pump technology immediately. Future development of EGS sources together
with the wet geothermal systems will make the country stronger in terms of oil reserves saved and increase
in exports. |
