01/05/2011
'Kingdom needs to invest more in energy efficiency’
At the German-Saudi symposium on energy efficiency in buildings
German and Saudi experts at the German-Saudi symposium on energy efficiency in buildings, held here Saturday, have agreed on the need to develop a feasible energy concept that aims to use energy more efficiently in the Kingdom especially in buildings.
“This will have multiple benefits for the Kingdom. It will save energy costs, enhance its own economic competitiveness and make a positive contribution to the international climate,” said Andreas Hergenroether, the Delegate of German Industry and Commerce for Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
He warned if such concept is not reached, the energy scenario would turn out to be extremely costly for the country.
“Today almost one quarter of all Saudi Arabian oil and gas resources are used for domestic consumption,” he added.
In his presentation, Faial Alfadl, secretary general of the Saudi Green Buildings Council, mentioned that Saudi Arabia today accounts for 5.13 global hectares of ecological footprint per person, or roughly twice the world average.
“And that puts it at top 25 most environmentally challenged in the world. So, Saudi interest should be to support sustainable construction and energy efficient technology,” he emphasized.
Eight top German companies participated in the one-day symposium organized by the German-Saudi Arabian Liaison Office for Economic Affairs based in Riyadh. It was attended by Deputy Minister of Electricity and Chairman of Board of Saudi Electricity Company, Saleh Al Awaji, and the Director General of Electricity Co-Generation Regulatory Authority, Fayez Al-Jabri.
In pursuit for partnerships with their Saudi counterparts, these German experts gave presentations on green development.
The presentations included a demonstration on German technologies and strategies in energy efficient buildings and their potential use in hot climates, smart cities and buildings for Saudi Arabia, Saudi experiences in awareness and efficient use of energy and green buildings in Saudi Arabia.
