Saudi Arabia has begun developing and using biofuels, especially biodiesel made from waste oils, as part of its broader energy transition and environmental sustainability goals — although biofuels remain a small component of the country’s overall fuel mix compared with oil, gas, and rapidly expanding solar power.
Biofuel Production and Industry
1. Domestic Biofuel Producers
- Saudi Arabia’s primary biofuel producer is The Biofuel Company Ltd, which operates the Gulf’s largest biodiesel refinery in Jubail and is expanding capacity with new facilities in Jeddah and Riyadh. The aim is to increase overall refining capacity to about 36 million liters of B100 biodiesel per year by 2025. These fuels are generally made from used cooking oil (UCO) and similar waste feedstocks.
2. Feedstocks and Technology
- The main biofuel being produced is biodiesel (often B100) via transesterification of waste oils. Research institutions, such as university biomass energy groups, are also exploring bioethanol, biodiesel, biogas, and bio-oil from agricultural and other bio-wastes for transport and power applications.
Where Biofuels Are Being Used
1. Transportation and Logistics
- Certain companies within Saudi Arabia have started using low-carbon biodiesel in commercial fleets. For instance, the Red Sea Global group has adopted biofuels for delivery vehicles, which significantly lowers CO₂ emissions compared with conventional diesel.
2. Major Infrastructure Projects
- King Salman International Airport has signed deals to use B100 biodiesel during the construction phase as part of its sustainability plan under Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative. The fuel replaces fossil diesel in heavy equipment, helping cut carbon footprint on large projects.
3. Potential and Past Initiatives
- Earlier plans — for example at The Red Sea Project tourism and resort development — included use of biofuel generators as backup power sources under sustainability frameworks (though such projects were initiated several years ago).
Policy Context
Vision 2030 and Renewable Energy Goals
- Biofuel development fits within broader Saudi targets to diversify energy sources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote renewable alternatives. This includes the National Renewable Energy Program aimed at increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix (including bioenergy, solar, and wind).
Waste-to-Energy Approach
- Saudi Arabia’s approach emphasizes recycling domestic waste oils into biofuels rather than exporting them, aligning with both waste management and energy security objectives.
Conclusion
Biofuels in Saudi Arabia are emerging but still developing:
- They are primarily biodiesel from used oils, produced and expanded by domestic companies.
- Adoption is growing in transport, construction, and logistics, with notable case projects in fleets and major infrastructure.
- Biofuel is part of a broader renewable energy and emissions reduction strategy under Vision 2030, though it represents a small share of overall energy use today compared with oil, gas, and solar