RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Mauritania have signed a framework agreement aimed at exploring opportunities and fostering expertise exchange in the fields of electricity, renewable energy, and clean hydrogen. The memorandum of understanding was signed during the recently concluded World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh, where Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and Mauritania’s Minister of Petroleum, Mines, and Energy, Nany Ould Chrougha, met. The MoU encompasses promoting the exchange of expertise and exploring partnership opportunities in renewable energy sectors such as solar, wind, waste-to-energy, and geothermal energy, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Moreover, the deal focuses on enhancing the reliability and security of the electricity system through development and improvement initiatives. Moreover, the agreement involves exploring prospects for joint project development, technology transfer in the electricity and renewable power sectors, and potential collaborations in clean hydrogen and energy technologies. These aim to advance and employ cleaner fossil fuel technologies, utilizing the most effective available methods and practices to mitigate environmental impacts. This includes initiatives such as carbon dioxide separation, capture, storage, and utilization, as well as enhancing energy production and consumption efficiency. According to a report on renewable energy opportunities for Mauritania, published in November 2023 by the International Energy Agency, the northwest African country boasts abundant wind and solar resources. The extensive utilization of these resources could significantly aid in providing universal electricity access and realizing sustainable economic growth. The IEA report, the first of its kind focused solely on Mauritania, explored the potential advantages of expanding the nation’s renewable energy capabilities. “Deploying these resources at scale to generate low-cost renewable electricity and hydrogen through electrolysis could attract large-scale investments and kick-start Mauritania’s energy system transformation, allowing the country to close electricity access gaps and spur clean and sustainable development,” the report stated. It added that with the largest pipeline of renewable hydrogen projects in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030, Mauritania could emerge as a significant producer of renewable hydrogen at a competitive price. Additionally, the report delved into an analysis of the water requirements for hydrogen production and evaluated the feasibility of enhancing the accessibility of potable water through seawater desalination.