A specialized workshop was held on Monday October 1, 2018 in Asharqia Chamber on the importance of partnership between the Kingdom and Federal Germany in various fields, most notably the areas of renewable energy, specifically the field of solar energy. There are broad prospects for investment and cooperation between Saudi and German companies.
The workshop was attended by a member of the Board of Directors, Badr bin Mohammed Al Abdul Karim.
During the workshop, a member of the Board of Directors of Asharqia Chamber and Chairman of the Industry and Energy Committee, Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al-Sheikh, said that there are bright prospects for German companies to invest in the Saudi market, especially in the solar energy sector in the Kingdom, and that these companies have many opportunities to cooperate with counterparts Saudi companies to establish solar energy projects in the Kingdom.
He pointed out that the vision of the Kingdom of 2030 leads a new era of economic development that is focusing especially on renewable energy, especially solar energy.
The Kingdom is seeking to produce 41 gigawatts of solar power, which will generate 16 gigawatts through the use of photovoltaic cells and 25 gigawatts by concentrated solar energy by 2032.
He revealed that two of the largest solar projects in the world will be established in the Kingdom with a capacity of 3 GW and 4.2 GW, respectively by 2019, through which solar panels will be manufactured and developed.
Al-Sheikh pointed out that Germany has become a major trading partner of the Kingdom, thanks to the renewed efforts of both governments. The German government pays particular attention to the Kingdom as the largest economy in the region. This is reflected in the presence of German companies in the Saudi market, where more than 200 companies already exist combined investments by the General Authority for Investment by more than 8 billion dollars.
He expressed the hope that more German companies will enter the Saudi market by taking advantage of the ongoing trade and commercial opportunities in the Kingdom, especially in the fields of energy and solar energy in particular.
In this regard, Al-Sheikh expressed sincere thanks and appreciation for the efforts of the German-Saudi Liaison Office for Economic Affairs to play an important role in enhancing trade relations between the two countries. .
He explained that the Chamber is hosting a "special office" to help Saudi companies identify their German counterparts in their specialized sectors.
Moreover, German Industry and Trade Representative in the Kingdom, Mr. Oliver Oms, said that German companies that working in the field of solar panels are ready to share their experiences with Saudi companies.
The growing economic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Germany will contribute to strengthening them in the coming years. He referred to the activities of its agency worldwide with its presence in more than 92 countries.
Furthermore, the international researcher and consultant, Quentin Blumert, said that the Kingdom has enormous potential and extensive areas of action to develop solar energy, especially in the field of electricity production, as more than 53% of this energy is consumed in homes, and does not rely on solar energy, which has many advantages to stimulate the start in this area.
"Saudi Arabia has a large flat area, clear skies, sun rays for long hours and, most importantly, the availability and sponsorship of government support," he said.
He added that the most ambitious cities in the Kingdom in the future use of 100% generation power in the project of NEOM.
He pointed out that Germany is the world leader in developing renewable energy technology research as the country has adopted a program to shut down all its nuclear plants by 2022.
He added that the country has proven records of the benefits of renewable energy in the economy.
He stressed the importance of establishing a strategic partnership for the development of solar energy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
