Energy efficiency a top priority in Saudi Arabian construction

Saudi Arabia is increasing its efforts to contain the growth in power consumption in the kingdom, the country’s Deputy Minister for Electricity Saleh Alawaji told MEED’s Saudi Green Buildings Forum 2011 in Riyadh this morning.

“The Ministry of Electricity & Water believes in green buildings as a factor that can contribute to energy saving,” Alawaji said. “Energy saving is now one of the major mandates of the ministry and other government departments. We were very busy in the past and didn’t pay enough time to efficiency in energy and in water. The government has now launched a number of initiatives. One of the major government decisions is the enforcement of thermal insulation.”

Alawaji said that the Saudi Arabian government is also focussing on air-conditioning energy use. “About 70 per cent of our energy consumption in the building sector is due to air-conditioning,” Alawaji said. “We believe that investment in air-conditioning will contribute significantly to energy saving. So we are focussing on efficiency of equipment and the efficiency of buildings.”

Alawaji said that Saudi Arabia is now acting to promote energy saving. “The government has taken three major decisions in recent years,” he said.

“We are collaborating with the Ministry of Municipality & Rural Affairs to ensure the enforcement of thermal insulation rules. We have also set up a National Energy Efficiency Centre, which is focussing particularly on the demand side. The third factor is the electricity tariff, particularly in the non-residential sector. I personally believe that the tariff is one of the most effective ways of conserving energy.”

Alawaji is also chairman of the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), the largest electricity producer in the Middle East.