Saudi Arabia to drive half of MENA’s renewable energy expansion by 2031

Saudi Arabia is expected to increase its renewable energy capacity fivefold by 2031, accounting for half of the projected expansion across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The kingdom added a record 9 gigawatts (GW) of renewable electricity capacity in 2025, with additions forecast to reach 60GW by 2031, the IEA said in its annual renewables report.

The projected growth represents half of the total renewable capacity expansion expected across MENA over the same period, during which the region’s renewable energy capacity is forecast to triple.

The report described the rapid expansion as a “structural step-change in the region’s energy market.”

Solar energy is expected to drive much of this growth, accounting for nearly 80% of the 122GW in renewable capacity additions projected across the region by 2031.

The IEA also forecasts that the UAE will become the world’s largest generator of solar electricity per capita. Oman and Qatar are also expected to rank among the world’s top 10 countries for per-capita solar electricity generation by 2031.

Saudi Arabia aims to generate 50% of its electricity from renewable sources as part of its Vision 2030 reform program.