15/05/2012
Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabia, Minister of Commerce and Industry, said that Saudi Arabia is keen to diversify its sources of energy through the development of renewable energy. He was speaking at a seminar entitled "Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Knowledge Forum" at Asharqia Chamber today. The seminar was organized with the objective of exploring business opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
The Commerce Minister noted that the Saudi government has taken realistic measures toward the development of alternative sources of energy. He said this pointing to the establishment of the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (K.A. CARE). Dr Al Rabia also talked about energy efficiency management to save energy.
Abdulrahman Rashed Al Rashed, Chairman of Asharqia Chamber, said the seminar was part of numerous activities undertaken by the Chamber to support private sector companies to identify trade and investment opportunities in various economic sectors. He focused on the growing demand for energy in the Kingdom which prompted the government to initiate for the development of renewable energy.
Mr. Salman Jishi, Chairman of the Industrial Committee of Asharqia Chamber said that small and medium size enterprises have the opportunities to invest in the renewable energy projects in the Kingdom. But he spoke of financial constraints for SMEs for setting up the renewable projects.Dr. Khalid Sulaiman, Vice President of the K.A. CARE, said that K.A. CARE was established to fulfill some specific goals like extending the life of fossil fuel with the use of alternative sources of energy. He stressed the importance of using solar energy for the production of power and desalinated water.
