Saudi plans to minimize fossil fuel use by 2050

Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia plans to limit the consumption of fossil fuels by generating more power using nuclear and renewable energy, an official said. “Nuclear and renewable energy will reduce dependence on fossil fuels by 2050,” Hashim Yamani, president of the King Abdullah Atomic and Renewable Energy City said at an industry event in Riyadh. Total demand in the kingdom is expected to grow to more than 60,000 megawatt (MW) by 2020, from around 50,000 MW current capacity. (January 23, 2011)