EU and Saudi meet on energy efficiency

SAUDI ARABIA: Representatives from the European air conditioning and refrigeration industry are to discuss collaboration opportunities with counterparts in Saudi Arabia.

The meeting is taking place in Jeddah on January 14, will address collaboration opportunities between Saudi Arabia and the European Union on HVAC standards, certification and labelling. It has been organised under the EU’s GCC Clean Energy Technology Network and the European Union Delegation to Saudi Arabia, with the participation of SASO (the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organisation) and other Saudi entities.

The event is being held in conjunction with HVACR Expo Saudi 2018, which runs from January 14-16 at the Jeddah Centre for Forums & Events.

Saudi Arabia currently relies on liquid petroleum for approximately 60% of its electricity generation. Increase in electricity demand boosted by population growth and rising living standards is affecting the country’s oil export volume and earnings. With more than 70% of Saudi’s electricity being consumed for air conditioning and cooling, energy efficient HVACR solutions are seen as key to achieve national growth in line with the Saudi Vision 2030.

SASO’s vice governor of the standards and laboratories Abdullah Al-Gahtani, sees the meeting as a key initiative in Saudi Arabia. “[The meeting] will contribute in elevating the standards and the quality of HVACR products in the country, finally strengthening the competitiveness of the national economy going along with the Saudi national energy efficiency programme,” he said.

Michele Cervone D’urso, ambassador of the European Union to The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said: “Energy has been and still is the major pillar of Saudi Arabia’s economy. The European Union, which has recently set out a new 30% energy efficiency target by 2030, is glad to share know-how and collaborate with the Kingdom on such a strategic subject matter to support economic development in Saudi Arabia and foster a more sustainable future.”

Describing the meeting as an excellent opportunity, Frank Wouters, director of the EU-GCC Clean Energy Technology Network, said “It is our mission to foster clean energy partnerships between EU and GCC entities, and the meeting will facilitate the dialogue on energy efficiency.”

HVACR Expo Saudi is Saudi Arabia’s largest dedicated indoor climate and refrigeration event. Sponsored by Carrier, Samsung, Zamil, Midea, HH Shaker and Johnson Controls, the event is co-located with FM Expo Saudi and Saudi Clean Expo.

Further information at www.hvacrexposaudi.com.