KA-Care needs a fresh start

03 February 2015

Disbanding the supreme council for atomic and renewable energy was not a surprise

The disbanding of the Supreme Council of the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KA-Care) as part of the new king’s first government reshuffle should not come as a surprise.

Established under Royal Decree by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud in 2010 to much fanfare, the body set out ambitious plans to develop the region’s largest nuclear and renewable programmes over a 20-year period. Despite much initial enthusiasm, almost five years after its creation, the body has failed to even begin the procurement or tendering of any projects.

Taking his name, the alternative energy body was regarded as one of the king’s legacy projects, which would mark a major shift in the country’s energy strategy for years to come. The release of a white paper in early 2013 detailing the initial procurement for the programme was seen as a significant step forward, but since then no further progress has been made.

While it is difficult to ascertain exactly why progress has been so limited, sources from within the kingdom’s utility sector point to the inability of the body to adequately staff itself for such a vast programme. It is also felt that publicly stating such ambitious targets put the body under pressure to deliver unrealistic goals from the beginning, and that more manageable initial aims should have been set.

Although many have been quick to blame KA-Care for its minimal progress, others within the kingdom’s energy sector are less critical. They point to the fact that KA-Care has succeeded in drawing up a feasible strategy and getting the ball rolling. Now it is up for the established government clients to deliver the procurement of the schemes.

Regardless of the viewpoint on KA-Care, there is unanimous agreement that Saudi Arabia has, to date, failed with its renewable and nuclear power plans. With such grand plans, the global power sector is hoping that the restructuring will usher in a fresh start for KA-Care, and finally kickstart the region’s most eagerly anticipated alternative energy programmes.

Follow Andrew Roscoe on Twitter: @MEEDAndrew

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