The countries of the Persian Gulf have a plan B to continue influencing beyond oil: critical minerals

In case the sector of Solar energy was smallthe Persian Gulf wants to continue expanding his empire and now points to the extraction and trade of metals. Expanding sectors. The companies between Oman, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia They have created Specialized units in metal marketing. On the one hand, International Resources Holding (IRH) in Abu Dhabi and Minerals Development Oman (MDO) have focused on energy and metal control. On the other hand, the Saudi country, through Ma’aden and the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has driven Its mining sector with new commercial strategies towards critical minerals. The look in the metals. The global raw material trade has changed in recent years, displacing traditional centers such as London and Geneva towards the Middle East, especially Dubai. Great oil traders, such as Vitol, Mercuria and Gunvor They have expanded Its metal business, and the Gulf states seek to position themselves in this market. With greater control over marketing, these countries can ensure better prices for their resources and strengthen their presence in the global supply chain. The expansion strategy. To consolidate their presence in the sector, companies such as International Resources Holding (IRH) and Minerals Development Oman (MDO) have created specialized commercial teams. Irh, based in Abu Dhabi, He has hired to 60 people to handle energy and metal trade, while MDO is in the process of establishing a unit of 25 people. At the same time, the Saudi Mining Fund Manara plans to form its own commercial team to ensure the supply of critical minerals. In addition to reinforcing their commercial capacities, these countries have made key investments in mining. IRH has acquired a 51% share in the Mopani copper mine in Zambia, and Abu Dhabi, through ADQ, has signed a joint company of 1.2 billion dollars with Orion Resources. Oman, on the other hand, has reactivated copper extraction in his lasail mine and seeks to better organize the plaster and chromite market to maximize income. Towards other booming markets. The Persian Gulf is exploring other areas such as renewable energies, artificial intelligence and nuclear energy. Countries like United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia They are promoting solar projects massive and the development of green hydrogen, with the expectation that more than 30% of its energy capacity comes from renewable sources in the next five years. Saudi Arabia has also seen an opportunity in The resurgence of nuclear energy And seek to lead the uranium sector, ensuring its role in the global supply. At the same time, the country has sealed Strategic agreements in AIwith projects like Neom that seek to position it as a key actor in the technological revolution. Global ambition. The gulf bet for metal trade is just one more piece in its strategy to become a key actor in the global economy. With the rise of the energy transition and the reconfiguration of international trade, the region seeks not only to diversify its income, but also consolidate its influence in strategic sectors. Oil gave them power; This new diversification is your insurance to continue like this for decades. Image | Unspash and Corey Poppe Xataka | The Persian Gulf has dominated the long era of oil. Now he is preparing to lead the era of solar energy

The Persian Gulf has dominated the long era of oil. Now he is preparing to lead the era of solar energy

There is an increasingly more and more evident energy change, and even the countries we would never think are jumping to the renewable pool. Yes, I talk about the countries of the Persian Gulf. However, the tests are there: seven Chinese solar companies were generating more energy capacity than the world’s greatest oil companies. So, now, with their money and a lot of sun, everything indicates that they will give sorpasso. Wild investment. For very recently, Gulf countries have decided to invest in renewable projects. On the one hand, the United Arab Emirates They have announced a solar project 5.2 GW with a battery system, also betting on storage. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia is developing its energy transition plan through the Vision 2030 Plan. Recently, the Saudi Aramco oil giant has announced an agreement to start producing lithium in 2027. In addition, They are developing a plan to extract and enrich uranium For nuclear energy. Likewise, the Saudi country is carrying out different solar energy projects, some in Collaboration with China and others with Spain. And we can’t forget Kuwait, who already started two years ago has develop 17 GW of renewable energy and 25 GW capacity for the production of green hydrogen, which propose to export it to international markets. Data. According to the recent report by the International Renewable Energies Agency, the Middle East has Less than 1% of the world’s renewable capacity. However, from the agency they have detailed that the forecast for the next few years will be of accelerated growth. For its part, An analysis of the consultant Rystad Energypoints out that within five years, more than 30% represents total capacity in Gulf countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. From the consultant they detail that this impulse is due to the weather conditions and the favorable conditions of the market. New solar panels will boost electricity generation in the Gulf Favorable energies. In the graph of Rystad EnergyWe observe that the Persian Gulf has two very different parts. The colored areas of orange, blue and green that represent renewable energies we see how they increase exponentially, especially solar. However, we see how nuclear and hydrogen have a slight growth that is maintained over the years. On the other hand, oil and gas, colored gray, although they are currently the main sources of energy, they will fall by 2050. China, ally or competition? The Asian giant has become a double agent in the energy transition, acting as much as a partner and competitor. On the side, Chinese companies such as Jinko Solar, Longi and Byd are providing solar panels, batteries and other technologies for the ambitious renewable projects in the desert region. On the other hand, China is carrying out the development of its own solar and wind projects. Besides, Your dominance over the global supply chain of batteries and solar panels gives you an advantage in the energy market. At the same time, its expansion in the Middle East allows you to gain influence in a region that has historically been dominated by fossil fuels. The change. The Persian Gulf is in the process of investing in renewables to mark its path to sustainability. However, they still have a stretch to travel because infrastructure and energy supply stability are still aspects that must be resolved. Image | Unspash Xataka | In full desert, Saudi Arabia is preparing its next great energy bet with the help of a partner: China

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