Saudi Arabia Launches First National Energy Hackathon

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy has launched the country's first national Energy Hackathon under the theme "Ignite Your Ideas," held ahead of the 25th WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh. The hackathon will take place at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) from 7 to 9 October 2026, with the Congress following at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center from 11 to 15 October 2026.

Registration opens on 19 August 2026 and closes on 16 September 2026 through the online link provided on the Ministry of Energy and WPC Energy Congress official website. Participation is aimed at students, young professionals, startups, and researchers in the energy and technology fields.

The hackathon tackles six challenges grouped into three tracks. The Operational Efficiency track covers inspection at oil and gas facilities and power-grid stability with increased renewables. The Transformative Innovation track focuses on smart fuel stations and hydrogen-storage technologies. The Intelligent Control track addresses predicting grid failures and managing electricity loads.

Participants will take part in specialized workshops, mentoring sessions, and prototype development over three consecutive full days at KAPSARC in north Riyadh. Their work will be assessed by a judging panel, with finalists pitching their solutions during a special programme at the Congress, held near King Khalid International Airport.

Winning teams will be honored at the Energy Hackathon Ceremony during the Congress and will receive entrepreneurial support and project enablement programs to help move their ideas beyond the prototype stage. Registration and participation are handled solely through the dedicated event platforms and official ministry and Congress websites. The initiative offers young innovators in the Kingdom a direct pathway to contribute practical solutions to the energy sector's evolving challenges.

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