Positioning Saudi Arabia’s Biogas Power Sector on the Global Stage: A Comparative Economic and Environmental Analysis

  • Program Utilities & Renewables Utilities & Renewables
  • Type Discussion paper
  • Date 25 June 2025
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Abstract

Saudi Arabia is advancing a comprehensive framework to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a range of strategies, including the displacement of liquid fuels, the implementation of energy efficiency measures, and the deployment of renewable energy technologies. To complement these efforts and address a critical research gap in Saudi Arabia, this study investigates the potential role of biogas as a viable contributor to national emission reduction targets. Specifically, the study estimates the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for biogas-based power generation across multiple feedstock co-digestion scenarios. The analysis estimates the LCOE for biogas electricity in Saudi Arabia at $54 to $116 per megawatt-hour, positioning it within the competitive range of global benchmarks.

Authors

Muhammad Adnan Hayat

Muhammad Adnan Hayat

Fellow- Utilities & Renewables

Expertise

Publications See all Muhammad Adnan Hayat’s publications

Naser Odeh

Naser Odeh

Principal Fellow- Climate & Sustainability Naser is leading research on carbon dioxide removals (CDRs), bioenergy, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage. He holds a BSc…

Naser is leading research on carbon dioxide removals (CDRs), bioenergy, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage. He holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Energy and Environmental Engineering, and he has 20 years of experience in the U.K. in both academia and consultancy. His main interests are industrial decarbonization, technology innovation, and policy modelling. In the U.K., Naser led the conceptualization of the U.K. government-funded BIOCCUS system, a community-scale biomass pyrolysis-based cogeneration technology with biochar production and CCUS. His current research interests are understanding the challenges and requirements for integrating CDR within industrial processes and assessing the opportunities for carbon utilization in industry in Saudi Arabia as part of the Circular Carbon Economy.

Expertise

  • Carbon Dioxide Removals
  • Industrial Decarbonization
  • Bioenergy
  • CCUS

Publications See all Naser Odeh’s publications

Amro Elshurafa

Amro Elshurafa

Executive Director- Utilities & Renewables Dr. Elshurafa is the Executive Director of the Utilities and Renewables Department and possesses 20+ years of experience garnered on…

Dr. Elshurafa is the Executive Director of the Utilities and Renewables Department and possesses 20+ years of experience garnered on three continents. His research interests lie in renewable energy policy, electricity market design and regulation, and power systems modeling. He has led and executed several national modeling initiatives at distributed and utility scales. Some aspects of his research have been adopted by BP in their seminal annual Statistical Review. He is listed among the top 2% scientists globally as per Stanford, and he is a board member of the Saudi Water and Electricity Regulatory Authority. Credited with 50+ papers and patents, he holds a Ph.D. in Engineering and an MBA in Finance.

Expertise

  • Renewable Energy Policy
  • Electricity Market Design and Regulation
  • Power Sector Modeling

Publications See all Amro Elshurafa’s publications

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