KACST successfully localized and developed blue LED technology, enhancing energy efficiency by up to 80% and offering a lifespan 20 times longer than traditional bulbs, contributing to Saudi Arabia's goals of technological leadership and economic diversification under Vision 2030.
Riyadh, January 7, 2025 – King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) has successfully localized and developed advanced blue light-emitting diode (LED) technology, marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s pursuit of technological innovation and energy efficiency. This achievement is a direct result of the concerted efforts of the National Laboratory, which has worked diligently to establish the infrastructure necessary to support cutting-edge research, development, and innovation within the field of electronics and lighting technology.
The successful development of blue LED technology highlights the importance of KACST's Saudi Semiconductor Program, which has played a key role in training and qualifying national talent in the design and manufacture of electronic chips. Through this program, KACST has equipped a new generation of engineers and specialists with the expertise to lead in the high-tech sector, further empowering the Kingdom to enhance its technological capabilities and industrial competitiveness.
This breakthrough in LED technology is a significant contribution to Saudi Arabia’s broader industrial and technological goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030. The localization of such advanced technology not only enhances the Kingdom’s global competitiveness but also contributes to the realization of the Vision’s objectives of diversifying the economy, reducing dependence on oil, and establishing a knowledge-based economy. By advancing the development of energy-efficient technologies, KACST is helping to elevate local content in non-oil sectors, fostering economic diversification, and supporting sustainable development efforts.
The blue LED technology developed by KACST offers numerous benefits, particularly in the realm of energy efficiency. Compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, blue LEDs can reduce energy consumption by up to 80%, providing an efficiency of 200 lumens per watt versus only 16 lumens per watt for conventional bulbs. Furthermore, these LEDs have an impressive lifespan—lasting up to 20 times longer than traditional lighting technologies—making them a sustainable and cost-effective solution for modern lighting applications.
Beyond the immediate economic and environmental advantages, the technology also plays a vital role in the global effort to combat climate change. By reducing energy consumption and electronic waste, as well as lowering greenhouse gas emissions by more than six times, the blue LED technology developed by KACST serves as a key pillar in supporting the Kingdom’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These advancements underscore the Kingdom’s growing leadership in the fields of innovation, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
In line with the vision for a future-focused economy, KACST’s localization of blue LED technology reinforces Saudi Arabia’s role as a regional and global leader in technology, offering innovative solutions to pressing environmental challenges and advancing the country’s industrial capabilities.
