Saudi Arabia's King Salman Airport adopts biodiesel in construction to support net-zero goals

08/07/2025 03:47 AST

Saudi Arabia's upcoming King Salman International Airport in Riyadh will curb construction-related emissions by using biodiesel, aligning with the Kingdom's broader net-zero ambitions.

The developer of the flagship project, backed by the Public Investment Fund, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Biofuel Co. Ltd. to supply B100 biodiesel as a direct alternative to fossil diesel during the construction phase, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The agreement supports Saudi Arabia's environmental goals, including its pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 under the Saudi Green Initiative. It also reflects the Kingdom's efforts to promote cleaner energy use across major infrastructure projects.

In an exclusive comment to Arab News, Abdullah Al-Otaibi, CEO of Biofuel, said the MoU aims to facilitate the use of biodiesel throughout the airport's construction phase.

"This step reflects Biofuel Co.'s commitment to sustainability and innovation as we work to establish a new benchmark for smart infrastructure projects," he said.

Al-Otaibi added that the achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering support of the Kingdom's leadership, which has paved the way for realizing the company's ambitions under Saudi Vision 2030.

Under the agreement, Biofuel Co., the country's first and only producer of standard-compliant biofuel, will supply B100 biodiesel to support construction activities and help reduce the project's carbon footprint in line with national climate goals.

Citing Marco Mejia, acting CEO of King Salman International Airport Development Co., the SPA report said that "the cooperation represents a practical step toward building an airport that adheres to the highest standards of environmental sustainability and reflects the adoption of alternative energy solutions that keep pace with global trends in reducing emissions."

It added: "He highlighted the importance of qualitative partnerships to achieve these goals, in conjunction with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 toward a more sustainable future."

Announced in 2022, King Salman International Airport is a major infrastructure project aimed at positioning Riyadh as a global transportation and logistics hub connecting East and West. The development spans 57 sq. km and will feature six parallel runways and 12 sq. km of support facilities, including residential, commercial, recreational, and logistics zones.

The airport is designed to run on renewable energy and targets LEED Platinum certification. It is expected to accommodate up to 100 million passengers annually by 2030 and 185 million by 2050, while handling 3.5 million tonnes of cargo each year.

The project aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals to diversify the economy by enhancing trade, tourism, and connectivity. It is projected to contribute SR27 billion ($7.2 billion) to non-oil gross domestic product and create over 100,000 jobs by mid-century.

Arab News