Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia has officially launched its first Direct Air Carbon Capture (DAC) pilot project at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC). The initiative, developed in partnership with Swiss climate tech company Climeworks, marks a major step forward in the Kingdom’s carbon removal capabilities. The mobile DAC unit has begun extracting CO₂ directly from the air.
This milestone in Saudi Arabia’s Direct Air Capture deployment positions the Kingdom as a global leader in testing DAC technology in hot, dry environments. Unlike traditional DAC sites in cooler places like Iceland, the Riyadh pilot focuses on performance in desert conditions.
Expanding the Circular Carbon Economy in Harsh Climates
His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy, inaugurated the project. He emphasized its role in helping Saudi Arabia meet circular carbon economy targets. The initiative supports Vision 2030 and national net-zero goals, which aim to capture and use up to 44 million tons of CO₂ annually by 2035.
KAPSARC will serve as both host and technical partner. It will contribute its expertise in carbon capture, economic modeling, and climate policy. The data from this pilot will guide future scale-ups and deployments in similar climates.
Moreover, the project builds on a broader feasibility study signed at the 2024 Saudi Green Initiative Forum. It leverages Saudi Arabia’s strengths in renewable energy and geography to position the Kingdom as a hub for DAC innovation.
Dr. Yaser Al-Saleh, President of KAPSARC, stated that the center is “committed to testing scalable climate technologies and generating actionable insights for national and international policy.”
THE SAUDI STANDARD’S VIEW: DAC Pilot Demonstrates Saudi Climate Innovation and Global Leadership
Saudi Arabia’s launch of its first DAC pilot at KAPSARC, in collaboration with Climeworks, is a defining moment for the Kingdom’s climate strategy. By deploying DAC in a desert setting, the Kingdom demonstrates its ability to lead global efforts in adapting and scaling carbon removal technologies.
The pilot proves DAC can work in high-heat, low-moisture regions. This unlocks potential for broader use across similar geographies and confirms the Kingdom’s role as a testbed for advanced carbon solutions.
Placing the project at KAPSARC ensures that technical data will be integrated into national and global policy. This supports Saudi Arabia’s science-driven path to net-zero emissions.
With targets to capture up to 44 million tons of CO₂ per year by 2035, Saudi Arabia is scaling not just deployment but also local innovation in carbon capture. The combination of renewable energy access, storage potential, and infrastructure makes this possible.
The Climeworks partnership, born from the Saudi Green Initiative, reflects the Kingdom’s growing leadership in climate diplomacy and technology. It also demonstrates that Saudi Arabia can translate policy commitments into tangible action.
This Saudi Arabia Direct Air Capture pilot is more than a technical project. It’s a signal that the Kingdom is shaping the future of global carbon management. Through innovation, partnerships, and a clear vision, Saudi Arabia is laying the foundation for sustainable growth under Vision 2030.
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