Second part with Jabbour commenting
Remarkable diversification in terms of energy sources and the intensification of deploying renewable energy options are evident around the world. Such endeavors are, on the whole, fueled by a range of environmental, energy security and/or economic considerations.
Indeed, it is no exaggeration to suggest that the world is progressively undergoing transition from a hydrocarbon-based economy to one based on sustainable forms of energy. It is notable, however, that there has been comparatively limited interest in examining the prospect of renewable energy in major oil-producing countries, especially in those characterized by heavily oil-dependent economies.
Consequently, there has been a corresponding dearth of research. These countries need to consider such sustainable energy means to further secure their energy and economic futures. The key role that these countries could play in achieving a healthier future for generations to come should not be overlooked.
Saudi Arabia, a major oil producer, with at least a quarter of the world's proven oil reserves, is also an increasingly urbanized and industrialized nation that is blessed with abundant solar energy and a reasonable wind resource.
Developing technologies that contribute to sustainable economic development is at the heart of collaborative research work in progress at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Thuwal, north of Jeddah. KAUST is one such marvel that will serve as a growing symbol of a country exploring new horizons and reinventing itself for the future.
KAUST sprang from an idea Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah had to establish a world-class university. In King Abdullah's words: "It will support industries and the private sector and help set up new knowledge-based industries. It will also help in converting innovative ideas and inventions into economic projects benefiting the country and citizens."
Saudi Arabia hopes to approve a regulatory framework for investment in renewable energy in 2011, according to a Reuters report published recently.
The framework should set out the conditions of government funding and incentives for the sector, said Adullah Al-Shehri, governor of the Saudi Electricity and Co-generation Authority (ECRA). Without them, the renewables sector would not progress in the Kingdom, he said.
"We developed the policy and we were ready as regulators to submit to our board for approval and then take it to the council of ministers," Al-Shehri said.
ECRA is regulator of the water and desalination sector.
"If they (the government) don't provide the funds nothing will move forward, this is our proposal...to get the government committed and (its) support," he said.
The government also needed to clarify which body would be regulating renewables contracts going forward, he said. "Anybody who wants to invest (renewables) in Saudi Arabia will find it difficult to know who to talk to," Al-Shehri said.
The Kingdom announced in April it would set up a scientific center called King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy. The center would be in charge of promoting research and sealing future deals.
The future role of ECRA will be to issue project licenses, he said.
Al-Shehri said peak power demand in Saudi reached 41,000 megawatts in 2009 while power generation capacity is 46,000 MW.
The Solar Energy Coordination and Communication Workshop, held at KAUST recently, has resulted in a committee being formed to focus on the acceptance and use of the renewable energy source.
Khaled Al-Sulaiman, vice-president for Renewable Energy at the King Abdullah City of Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE), told the gathering about recent mandates received from the government declaring that nuclear and renewables would be among the energy options adopted by the Kingdom.
"KACARE has been given responsibility to guide renewable energy efforts," he said. "We are charged with technology development and investigating nuclear and renewable energy resources. We can do it -- I mean all of us, all stakeholders in Saudi Arabia, in cooperation with others globally. There will be no turf fighting or the marking of territories."
Amin Al-Shibani, KAUST's vice-president of economic development, said: "The introduction of a new industry, any industry in any nation, is faced with a lot of obstacles and challenges. With determination and leadership the key stakeholders will overcome these obstacles."
Professor Ghassan Jabbour, director of KAUST's Solar and Alternative Energy Engineering Research Center, said his center's mission was to make solar energy low-cost and therefore commercially viable. "Our main wealth is knowledge," he added. "We must encourage the process or we won't move an inch forward. Our center is investing in the human mind."
Unfortunately, not everyone was equally supportive of transitioning to a renewable energy economy. In a speech to the Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA) annual conference in Houston, Texas, last year, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Al-Naimi warned that promoting the rapid growth of renewable energy without continuing to invest in oil would create a "nightmare scenario." "We must be mindful that efforts to rapidly promote alternatives could have a 'chilling effect' on investment in the oil sector," he said. "A nightmare scenario would be created if alternative energy supplies fail to meet overly optimistic expectations, while traditional energy suppliers scale back investment."
AI
