RIYADH: Tadawul, the Riyadh stock exchange, would like to stage an initial public offering (IPO) of Saudi Aramco on its own, rather than be part of a global offering with other markets, its chief executive said this week at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh.
Khalid Al-Hussan told the Financial Times on the sidelines of the conference that he wanted the exchange to be the “exclusive” listing venue for an Aramco IPO. “Our aspiration for Tadawul, as the main exchange in the region, is to be the exclusive venue for Aramco. We are doing what it takes to make sure Aramco is listed here (in Saudi Arabia) only. We aim and work hard to be the exclusive listing venue,” he said.
An adviser close to the Tadawul confirmed to Arab News the accuracy of the report, but declined to comment further. More details are expected to emerge at the FII gathering on Thursday, the source added.
“This will change the position of the Saudi stock exchange and the Saudi capital market on the exchange global map,” Al-Hussan said.
If Aramco were to decide on a Tadawul listing only, it would be a challenge for an IPO slated as the biggest in history. The flotation of 5 percent of the company at its official valuation of $2 trillion would be worth $100 billion and would be by far the biggest stock on the Saudi market, which is capitalized at a total of $440 billion.
It would also be a blow to the ambitions of New York, London and Hong Kong to host the record-breaking IPO. Armies of investment bankers, lawyers and consultants had been looking at hundreds of millions of dollars in fees from the IPO.
The suggestion that the IPO might be kept in the Kingdom is a further complication after a spate of reports that Aramco was considering a trade sale to Asian investors as preparation for a global IPO later down the line as one of a range of options for privatizing part of Aramco.
The IPO is regarded as the cornerstone of the Vision 2030 strategy to reduce the Kingdom’s economic dependence on oil. A spokesman for Aramco declined to comment on Hussan’s statements.
Amin Nasser, Aramco chief executive officer, said on Tuesday that the company was on track for an IPO in 2018.
He added that domestic and international exchanges were being considered for the transaction, but that a final decision was the responsibility of the Saudi government.
“All detailed information is currently being reviewed by our shareholder and in due course a decision will be made about the lasting venue,” he said.
One bank adviser to the Saudi government, requesting anonymity, said: “$100 billion would be too much for the Tadawul to take in one go, but they (the government) retain the option to offer a smaller portion and sell some of the rest later, either on a global market or to a trade partner. The options are not limited to a one-off IPO.”
Saudi stock exchange wants ‘exclusive’ Aramco listing
Saudi stock exchange wants ‘exclusive’ Aramco listing
Acwa signs key terms to develop 5GW of renewable energy capacity in Turkiye
JEDDAH: Saudi utility giant Acwa has signed key investment agreements with Turkiye’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources to develop up to 5 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, starting with 2GW of solar power across two plants in Sivas and Taseli.
Under the investment agreement, Acwa will develop, finance, and construct, as well as commission and operate both facilities, according to a press release.
The program builds on the company’s first investment in Turkiye, the 927-megawatt Kirikkale Independent Power Plant, valued at $930 million, which offsets approximately 1.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, the statement added.
A separate power purchase agreement has been concluded with Elektrik Uretim Anonim Sirketi for the sale of electricity generated by each facility.
Turkiye aims to boost solar and wind capacity to 120GW by 2035, supported by around $80 billion in investment, while recent projects have already helped prevent 12.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions and reduced reliance on imported natural gas.
Turkiye’s energy sector has undergone a rapid transformation in recent years, with renewable power emerging as a central pillar of its strategy.
Raad Al-Saady, vice chairman and managing director of ACWA, said: “The signing of the IA (implementation agreement) and PPA key terms marks a pivotal moment in Acwa’s partnership with Turkiye, reflecting the country’s strong potential as a clean energy leader and manufacturing powerhouse.”
He added: “Building on our long-standing presence, including the 927MW Kirikkale Power Plant commissioned in 2017, this step elevates our partnership to a new level,” Al-Saady said.
In its statement, Acwa said the 5GW renewable energy program will deliver electricity at fixed prices, enhancing predictability for grid planning and supporting long-term industrial investment.
By replacing imported fossil fuels with domestically generated clean energy, the initiative is expected to reduce Turkiye’s exposure to global energy market volatility, strengthening energy security and lowering long-term power costs.
The company added that the economic impact will extend beyond the anticipated investment of up to $5 billion in foreign direct investment, with thousands of jobs expected during the construction phase and hundreds of high-skilled roles created during operations.
The energy firm concluded that its existing progress in Turkiye reflects a strong appreciation for Turkish engineering, construction, and manufacturing capacity, adding that localization has been a strategic priority, and it has already achieved 100 percent local employment at its developments in the country.
