The potential contribution of geothermal energy to electricity supply in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

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.

Keywords:

• geothermal energy
• EGS
• carbon dioxide
• CDM
• ground-source heat pump

Acknowledgements

D. C. thanks S. Viswanathan and Hemant K Sing for their help in editing the MS.

Additional information

Funding

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University for funding the work through the research group project No. RGP VPP-122.