Energy transition for sustainable development in Saudi Arabia: Renewable energy growth and emission reduction

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which account for about 95% of its energy mix, resulting in high per capita carbon emissions. Under Vision 2030, KSA aims to fundamentally restructure its energy landscape by deploying 58.7 GW of renewable energy (RE) and reaching net-zero emissions by 2060. However, existing literature often addresses this transition in a fragmented manner, focusing on isolated technologies or policies while overlooking the complex interplay between RE deployment, infrastructure readiness, and environmental trade-offs. This review bridges this gap by employing a mixed-method analytical approach that synthesizes quantitative assessments of energy capacity trends, RE deployment, and greenhouse gas emissions with a qualitative evaluation of policy frameworks, technological initiatives, and socio-economic barriers. The analysis reveals that while KSA has initiated flagship projects, such as NEOM's green hydrogen facility, powered by 4 GW of RE, alongside various solar and wind installations, current operational capacity remains limited, underscoring a significant gap between existing infrastructure and the 2030 targets. Furthermore, the study identifies critical bottlenecks to the transition, including grid integration challenges, high capital costs, infrastructure constraints, regulatory hurdles, economic dependence on hydrocarbons, technological limitations, and the water-energy nexus in arid environments. The novelty of this review lies in its holistic framework, which simultaneously evaluates the technological, economic, and environmental dimensions of KSA's energy transition, including the role of the circular carbon economy and carbon capture, utilization, and storage. Ultimately, this paper provides actionable strategic priorities for policymakers and stakeholders to accelerate RE integration, enhance energy efficiency, and ensure sustainable climate mitigation. • Reviews Saudi Arabia’s energy transition under Vision 2030 and net-zero targets. • Discusses RE development, emission trends, and mitigation strategies in KSA • Outlines the role of the circular carbon economy and CCUS in national climate goals. • Discusses key barriers, including economic reliance, policy gaps, and grid limits. • Presents strategic priorities for accelerating sustainable development in KSA.