Localization and local content mandates are an increasing presence in the global investment landscape, and the development of local content policy in Saudi Arabia will be an important factor in the lasting legacy of Vision 2030. While virtually all industries are targeted by local content mandates in Saudi Arabia, a sector tipped for strict targets and maximum local value added is renewable energy production. This is no surprise, as the abundant natural resources of sun and wind make the Kingdom well placed to be globally competitive in the sector, and as the industry is still in its infancy, an opportunity exists to localize from the ground up.
This paper looks at the employment possibilities across the value chain of solar PV and onshore wind and, applying the unique characteristics of the Saudi labor force, investigates where localization mandates should target in order to optimize the benefits to the Saudi economy.
