With companies representing more than 20 countries in attendance, Dr. Saleh Al-Awaji, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Electricity Company, opened the Saudi Energy Exhibition yesterday evening. In a statement yesterday following the opening, he noted that electricity demand is increasing annually at high rates, ranging from 6 to 7%, reaching rates that are unprecedented globally. He revealed that last year’s peak-hour electricity demand for the grid increased by approximately 10%, This is a significant figure, especially when considering the total production capacity, which exceeds 60,000 megawatts; consequently, an increase of 10% translates to an increase of 6,000 megawatts, and these challenges require substantial investments.
The exhibition, currently being held at the Riyadh Convention and Exhibition Center and running through May 11, showcases the fundamentals of the energy sector and related topics, including the structure of energy supplies and energy policy, and technical issues such as high efficiency in power generation, the operation of power plants, and the latest technologies in renewable energy systems, in addition to showcasing the latest environmental technology products and innovative techniques.
Regarding the use of new technologies in energy production, Al-Awaji said that the Kingdom’s approach is to optimize the use of all energy sources, especially renewable energy—”solar, wind,” noting that responsibility for harnessing these sources had previously been scattered across several government agencies, but is now consolidated under a single umbrella—the Ministry of Energy. This will help steer these projects in the right direction more quickly and effectively, He added that policies regarding the utilization of all energy sources have not changed and will not change, but having them under a single umbrella helps steer them in the right direction. He added that the direction of the energy sector following the new restructuring is a step in the right direction, as it consolidates the efforts of all sectors involved in energy under a single umbrella. This will achieve many of the objectives regarding future energy policies, It will manage this broad sector more effectively and efficiently by reducing expenses and selecting the best policies regarding supply and consumption, and it will lead the Kingdom to achieve its vision in the coming years.
