Saudi Arabia has taken a firm step towards carbon neutrality with the inauguration of a Direct Air Capture (DAC) test unit in Riyadh. The technology, developed by Swiss company Climeworks and operated in collaboration with the King Abdullah Center for Petroleum Research and Studies (KAPSARC), is already in operation at the Saudi center’s facility, capturing CO₂ directly from the atmosphere.
Test in arid conditions
The facility represents a key trial to validate the technology’s performance in extremely hot and dry climates. Unlike Climeworks’ plants in Iceland, such as Orca and Mammothwhich operate in cold conditions, this new unit will allow us to study the efficiency of carbon sequestration. carbon sequestration in harsh environments, characteristic of the Gulf region.
The inauguration event was attended by the Minister of Energy, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, underlining the state’s support for technological solutions for the energy transition. The initiative is part of a feasibility assessment driven by the Saudi Ministry of Energy, which gave rise to the project following a memorandum of understanding signed between Climeworks and KAPSARC during the Saudi Green Initiative Forum in December 2024.
Climeworks tests its direct air capture technology in new environments
Climeworks, a world leader in carbon removal technologies, is looking to adapt its CCD to diverse geographies. This collaboration with KAPSARC allows the analysis of variables such as thermal efficiency, energy consumption and durability of materials under extreme heat. The results will be decisive in expanding the application of this technology in regions with similar characteristics.
The trial also assesses the possibility of localizing essential materials and components, strengthening a domestic supply chain for future plants. The Kingdom sees in this technology an opportunity to consolidate its leadership in the circular carbon economy, generate skilled employment and diversify its economy.
Saudi Arabia plans to capture up to 44 million tons of CO₂ per year by 2035 through carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) centers. This DAC trial aligns with that ambition, providing critical data on its potential industrial deployment. The country’s strategic location, coupled with its infrastructure and renewable energy resources, positions it as an ideal candidate for large-scale adoption of these technologies.
Source and photo: Climeworks
