His Excellency KACARE's Vice-President, the Head of the Saudi Delegation to the meetings of IRENA General Assembly's 7th Session (IRENA), Dr. Waleed Abulfaraj, delivered the Kingdom's statement on the occasion of the opening of the Session's activities today, Saturday 16 Rabi' II, 1438, corresponding to 14 January 2017. His Excellency expressed the appreciation of the Government of Saudi Arabia for the efforts being exerted by IRENA's Director and others officials therein in an endeavor to achieve the sought objectives, mainly to enhance the use of the renewable energy worldwide.
His Excellency stressed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia embarks on building a sustainable renewable energy sector inclusive of industries, services, technology localization and qualification of human resources. This was highlighted in the Kingdom's Vision 2030 as well as in the National Transformation Program (NTP) whereas the main frameworks have been identified to build up this Sector. It was also determined that it was imperative to create a balanced mix of fossil energy and alternative energy in the Kingdom with an objective to generate development and prosperity on one part, and to enhance energy security on the other, through introduction of alternative energy into the mix of national energy. The goal to be attained by 2023 has been set to achieve a (9.5 GW capaqcity) renewable energy as a first stage, including solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, and W2E.
At the national level, His Excellency added, the Kingdom has presented a number of initiatives under the umbrella of National Transformation Program (NTP) 2020. The said Initiative aims at activation and enhancement the role of Alternative Energy within the energy system and the economic system as well. One vehicle would be through the increase of local content in the value chain of industries, services, localization of know-how and commercializing the same. One more vehicle will be the qualification of human capital required, as well as the integration of atomic and renewable power stations with national grids.
Moreover, His Excellency pointed out that the Kingdom is endeavoring to enable alternative energy to contribute to the energy national mix in consistency with both its local requirements and international commitments. In the meantime, the Kingdom is simultaneously drafting its necessary legislations to regulate and govern these two Sectors. The Kingdom is also introducing the necessary mechanisms that would stimulate the private sector to participate therewith.
In addition, the Kingdom has also initiated the process of siting and preparing for its first atomic power station, with special emphasis on the infrastructure required in order for it to be used in supporting and feeding the electric baseload. The Kingdom has also concluded participation agreements with a number of developed countries with a view to develop and localize small-sized integrated reactors (SMART Technology) to be used in outlying areas with small-sized and medium-sized loads as well as in industrial areas (zones).
Furthermore, planning is underway to encourage and motivate private sector and interested investors to invest in renewable energy sector in the Kingdom with a view as to achieve its ambitious Vision which was lucky in that it was blessed by the support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman ibn Abdulaziz Al- Saud. It has also committed itself to create a local competitive renewable energy market. For this purpose, it has laid down a clear-cut methodology which ensures the competitiveness of renewable energy, besides provision of the required finances through participations between public and private sectors and the localization of major percentage of chain values of renewable energy.
His Excellency added that mutual current efforts made by various authorities in the Kingdom are concentrated on the utilization of renewable resources in power generation and other uses as well, such as provision of electric power to areas far from national grid, making use of waste pits to generate power (W2E), and utilization of solar energy and wind energy in water desalination applications.
His Excellency added that the Kingdom has been keen ro reach out to international society in the hope that it cultivate knowledge and economic development which in turn help attain the goal of "Kingdom of Sustainable Energy".
His Excellency called to the attention of the audience the fact that the Kingdom has recently signed the Paris Convention of Climate Change at the New York HQs of the United Nations. Needless to say that this move is indicative of the great importance the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in its capacity as a pillar partner in climate change-related international conventions, attaches to this matter.
Whereas the Kingdom is an IRENA, it always makes sure to contribute to the Agency's projects, i.e. Remap2030 which is consistent with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, as it also intends to boost renewable energy share worldwide by 2030.
The Kingdom is also a contributor to the Global Atlas for Renewable Energy which is an IRENA major Project seeking to provide a reference dealing with various renewable energy resources, It is worth-mentioning also that the Kingdom in December 2013 launched the Renewable Energy Resources Atlas intended to assist investors, researchers, and developers alike. Total measurement and monitoring instruments in the Kingdom are over 60 scientifically distributed throughout the Kingdom in a manner as to attain the objectives hoped for.
KACARE will assume the role of incubator and work is currently underway with other stakeholders to draw up road map which hopefully will be ready in the first quarter this year.
