Saudi Arabia strengthens energy cooperation with The Netherlands

As the war in Ukraine continues the European Union (EU) and its Member States are pursuing efforts to secure alternative energy supplies. In 2022, Germany turned to the Gulf States, more particularly Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia to sign cooperation agreements for the supply of green hydrogen, a move that also aligns with Europe’s green ambitions to combat climate change. More recently, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, travelled to Saudi Arabia and the UAE to strengthen energy cooperation. Romania and Serbia followed suit and also signed energy cooperation deals with Abu Dhabi in early 2023.  

In April 2023, the Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra visited Saudi Arabia where he met with his counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan. During the meeting, both ministers reviewed Saudi-Dutch relations and discussed ways to further deepen cooperation ties, notably in the energy sector. During his visit to the Kingdom, Hoekstra also met with Saudi Energy Minister, Abdulaziz bin Salman, with whom he discussed the possibility of using the Port of Rotterdam to import large quantities of clean hydrogen from Saudi Arabia to Europe.

Discussions on renewables and clean energy cooperation started a few months ago. In May 2022, a Saudi delegation made up of energy, business, environment and trade officials travelled to The Netherlands where they met with government officials to consider avenues of cooperation to enhance the economic and commercial partnership between the two countries in light of the Saudi Vision 2030. 

During the visit, the Saudi delegation showed particular interest in Dutch expertise and know-how regarding innovation and technology. The Dutch government also organised working sessions during which the Saudi delegation had the opportunity to meet with representatives of major companies, such as Shell, Unilever, and Philips. More meetings followed in December 2022 where officials discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the energy and circular economy fields. 

The latest meeting that took place in Riyadh at the highest level of government suggests that the mutual efforts to deepen and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries, particularly in the energy field, are gaining momentum. Increased cooperation regarding the supply of clean hydrogen to the EU is mutually beneficial as it works to diversify energy supplies and support the green transition, while also reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives.