Electricity sector reforms in Saudi Arabia and their impact on demand growth and development of renewable energy

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has experienced widespread development over the last four decades. This has resulted in tremendous increase in electricity demand. This paper reviews the status of the KSA’s electricity consumption and demand to date; discusses the current and future challenges facing the Saudi electricity sector; and the Saudi government’s initiatives taken to address these challenges. The study shows that KSA government started to apply the long term strategy, Vison 2030 to reduce energy consumption and high energy demand in the country. The paper evaluates the outcomes of applying the tariff reform programs that introduced in 2016 and 2018 respectively and its impact on different consuming sectors especially the residential and also the renewable energy program.