Industry, Logistics & Shipping

Saudi Electricity delivers solid 2024 results, revenue up 18pc

Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has delivered solid results for FY 2024, reporting total operating revenues of SAR88.7 billion ($24 billion), up 18% over the previous year, due to the sustained demand for electricity and increased power generation. 
 
This robust performance reflects sustained demand for electricity, increased power generation, expansion of regulated asset bases, and a higher weighted average cost of capital (WACC) return. Additionally, revenues from project development and management—including the construction of power plants and transmission lines for clients—contributed to the company’s overall growth.
 
Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has announced its financial results for 2024, reporting total operating revenues of SAR88.7 billion ($24 billion), thus marking an 18% increase from SAR75.3 billion ($20 billion) the previous year. 
 
This robust performance reflects sustained demand for electricity, increased power generation, expansion of regulated asset bases, and a higher weighted average cost of capital (WACC) return. 
Additionally, revenues from project development and management - including the construction of power plants and transmission lines for clients—contributed to the company’s overall growth.
 
SEC posted a net profit of SAR6.9 billion for 2024, compared to SAR10.2 billion in the previous year. The decline is primarily attributed to a one-time expense of SAR5.7 billion, resulting from the final settlement of long-standing disputed amounts related to historical discrepancies in fuel quantities, pricing, handling costs, and electricity tariffs. 
 
Excluding this non-recurring expense, the company’s adjusted net profit stood at SAR12.1 billion, up from SAR11.1 billion in 2023, representing a 8.9% increase. 
 
This improvement was driven by key factors, including higher recognised revenue requirements in 2024, a 10% expansion in regulated asset bases to SAR231 billion, increased power generation revenues, a growing customer base, enhanced operational efficiency, lower maintenance and operating costs, higher net other income, improved collections, reduced zakat provisions, and increased equity-accounted earnings from independent power plants.
 
On the company’s financial and operational performance, Acting CEO Engineer Khalid bin Salem Al Ghamdi said: "The year 2024 marks a new phase of accelerated growth, operational excellence, and strategic investment in the future. We have achieved record-breaking revenues and executed the largest capital investments in SEC’s history."
 
"As we advance our strategic initiatives, we remain committed to supporting the unprecedented transformation of the power sector in line with Saudi Vision 2030. This transformation presents exceptional growth opportunities, underpinned by a robust regulatory framework and SEC’s strong financial and strategic position," he stated.
 
SEC’s capital expenditures surged to an all-time high of SAR60 billion in 2024, reflecting a 44% increase from the previous year. 
 
These investments were primarily directed toward power infrastructure expansion, smart grid enhancements, generation efficiency improvements, and service reliability upgrades. 
 
The company also continued its commitment to renewable energy integration, with 6.8 GW of renewable capacity connected to the grid by year-end. Additionally, SEC is developing new projects with a combined capacity of 27.3 GW and has initiated tenders for an additional 33.2 GW of renewable energy projects.
 
"We are dedicated to enhancing energy security, supporting Saudi Arabia’s transition into a regional hub for clean energy, and delivering reliable, high-quality electricity services," remarked Al Ghamdi. 
"Our focus remains on accelerating innovation, advancing digital transformation, and improving operational efficiency, all while ensuring an outstanding customer experience," he stated.
 
To enhance grid stability and efficiency, SEC had commissioned Saudi Arabia’s first battery energy storage system (BESS) in Bisha, with a capacity of 500 MW, and advanced the development of five additional storage projects totaling 2,500 MW. 
 
The company also continued expanding regional grid interconnections, including the 3 GW Saudi-Egypt interconnection project, and feasibility studies for new interconnections with Italy, Greece, and India, it added.
 
SEC pointed out that customer satisfaction reached 82.3%, with significant improvements in service quality and reliability. 
 
It maintained a strong financial position, securing SAR57.2 billion in financing throughout the year through various instruments, including sukuk issuances, local and international loans, and export credit agency-backed facilities to support its long-term growth strategy.
 
Reflecting its solid performance and strategic outlook, Moody’s upgraded SEC’s credit rating from A1 to Aa3 with a stable outlook, while Fitch raised its rating from A to A+, aligning SEC’s credit profile with Saudi Arabia’s sovereign rating. 
 
These upgrades further reinforce SEC’s position among the world’s leading power utilities.-TradeArabia News Service

Industry, Logistics & Shipping

Oman Cables 2024 net profit up 19.5pc; sales soar to $697m

Oman Cables Industry (OCI), a leading cable solutions provider in the sultanate, has announced that it has delivered solid results for yet another year with its sales turnover for 2024 soaring to RO269 million ($697 million), thus marking 8.3% year-on-year increase over the previous year. 
 
Announcing the results for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2024 at its Annual General Meeting today (March 29), Oman Cables Industry said its net profit rose to RO22.6 million, up from RO18.9 million the previous year, reflecting a 19.5% year-on-year increase. 
 
This growth was mainly driven by a careful commercial strategy that has favoured diversification and penetration in the various business areas and a strong push towards sustainable innovation, with the expansion of the product portfolio, including high-value-added solutions and services.
 
Driven by its vision of "Empowerment, Innovation, and Excellence", the Group is committed to sustainable growth, and guided by four key ambitions: Climate, Social, Innovation, and Governance, embedded in the business model of the company.
 
At the AGM, the shareholders reviewed and approved the Group’s financial results for the year 2024.
 
Through the partnership with Prysmian - a global leader in the cable manufacturing and system solutions for the energy transition and digital transformation - Oman Cables Industry continues to strengthen its position in and outside Middle East, it stated. 
 
The opportunities offered during 2024 were including access to a broader product portfolio of green cables and eco-friendly solutions, together with enhanced service offerings, from monitoring to tracking systems, covering the new needs of the diverse industries. 
 
This was made possible through accessing to 27 Prysmian cutting-edge research centers worldwide, accelerating the development of innovative products and integrated solutions, but also through leveraging global testing facilities, ensuring the highest international quality standards, advanced expertise and industry best practices, preparing and qualifying the company to compete with highest European standards.
 
According to Oman Cables Industry, the growth recorded in 2024 was fueled by higher exports, particularly in the renewable energy sector, thanks to its unique Renewable Excellence Center, and the concrete support the Company is providing to power grid enhancement – in the Middle East and not only - boost by the ongoing energy transition.
 
On the solid performance, Chairman Cinzia Farisè, said: "During the last 5 years the company has increased its net profit tenfold, creating value for its shareholders, for its employees - who have since become shareholders of the group according to a rewarding profit share based system - and for the Omani community."
 
"As part of our commitment to Oman Vision 2040 and the journey toward net zero by 2050, Oman Cables is dedicated to driving sustainable growth. We have transferred know-how and technology to the Sultanate and today the company is able to compete outside the Middle Eastm," he stated. 
 
"We have created and nurtured a talent pool through advanced leadership programmes and our employees are appreciated in every part of the globe, where they have the opportunity to work at all Prysmian affiliates," he noted. 
 
:"Furthermore, we have opened our Omani Sustainability Academy, that enjoys collaboration with the best universities in the world, to the 33,000 Prysmian employees and to all our partners. Achieving results is our responsibility, giving back to the Omani community is our commitment. I am proud of our management and our team, the great Oman Cables family," he added.-TradeArabia News Service

Industry, Logistics & Shipping

Saudi Mawani boost trade links with new Jeddah-Port Sudan route

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has annnounced that it has added Jeddah-Port Sudan Express (JPS) service by CULines at Jeddah Islamic Port, utilizing vessels with a capacity of 450 TEU.
 
This strategic move aligns with Mawani's objective of forging robust partnerships with key regional and international ports, solidifying Saudi Arabia's position as a pivotal logistics hub connecting three continents.-TradeArabia News Service