Saudi Arabia, Turkey deepen strategic partnership with major renewable energy deal

Saudi Arabia and Turkey signed an agreement this week to advance wind power projects in Anatolia with a combined generating capacity of 3 gigawatts (GW), part of a broader 5 GW renewable energy initiative announced earlier this year.

We are deepening our strategic energy cooperation with Saudi Arabia,” Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said.

Saudi company ACWA Power is also leading the construction of 2 GW of solar power capacity in the Turkish regions of Sivas and Karaman, while the wind projects are expected to be built along the Black Sea and Mediterranean coasts.

The growing Saudi-Turkish cooperation comes amid Israeli concerns over the development of the “Mecca Alliance,” which brings together Sunni powers Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, with Egypt potentially joining. Even as Israeli defense planners continue to prepare for a possible renewal of hostilities with Iran, the emerging regional partnership is drawing attention.

Saudi Arabia is also expanding its involvement in energy projects across the region as part of its Vision 2030 strategy to diversify its economy beyond hydrocarbon exports.

Egypt is emerging as a potential partner in these efforts. Cairo is reportedly seeking to accelerate domestic oil and natural gas production while attracting regional investment.

European energy companies, including firms backed by Saudi and other Gulf investors, are also helping Egypt expand its energy infrastructure. Since repaying nearly $6.1 billion in debt to foreign oil and gas companies, Egypt has attracted almost $19 billion in new investment, including major commitments from Italy's Eni, BP, Apache and Arcius Energy.

With its strategic location between the Middle East and Europe, its influence in the Arab world and its large conventional military, Egypt is expected to become an important partner in the emerging regional alignment.

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