Saudi Aramco, alongside other 13 Saudi entities, is participating in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2018 in the UAE on January 13 – 20, 2018. The Saudi participation in the event is led by the Ministry of Energy, Industry, and Mineral Resources, where high-profile Saudi organizations are showcasing sustainability-related initiatives and technologies at the Saudi Pavilion.
Abdulkarim Al-Ghamdi, Saudi Aramco Executive Director of Power Systems, who represented the company at the event, said: “Saudi Aramco plays a significant role in supporting the diversification of the Kingdom’s energy mix, to increase energy efficiency and achieve sustainability goals and objectives. The company is considering new renewable energy opportunities for the utilities sector to diversify the company’s portfolio and to support the Kingdom’s goal in achieving renewable energy capacity of 9.5 GW by 2023.”
Al-Ghamdi said that Saudi Aramco continues to explore opportunities in wind and solar energy in various locations in the Kingdom, in addition to R&D efforts in carbon management, emissions-to-value, engine and fuel technologies. He also emphasized the importance of localizing technologies and the value chain relevant to renewable energy in the Kingdom. The Company’s participation in the event is in line with the Kingdom’s efforts to achieve economic and environmental sustainability, as part of Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program.
Saudi Aramco implements digitization and smart solutions across all of its power, oil and gas hydrocarbon facilities. The digital solutions will further maximize new value generations to Saudi Aramco to maintain very competitive operating and maintenance cost, exceeding any pacesetters. The company achieves this while keeping its top environmental standards known as the best internationally.
Last year, Saudi Aramco commissioned the first wind turbine in the Kingdom, providing electricity directly to the bulk plant in Turaif. One turbine creates enough power to supply 250 homes, can displace 19,000 barrels of oil equivalent, and generate 2.75MW. This is in addition to projects and initiatives that aim at increasing awareness about wind and solar energy.
The Saudi Pavilion hosts a number of informative and interactive displays about energy, water resources, and waste management, where visitors can learn about the Kingdom’s efforts and initiatives in sustainability and development. Saudi Aramco also shared its experiences and solutions in wastewater treatment and reuse, and water conservation. In addition to the exhibition and the informative displays, the Saudi Pavilion will host a number of presentations and panel discussions about various topics including the Saudi National Atomic Energy Project, renewable energy, future of clean energy, energy efficiency, sustainable development, recycling and waste management, water resources, localization of the electricity sector and its services, solar energy and its value chain, research and development for sustainability. Saudi Aramco speakers will discuss Emissions-to-Value, energy efficiency, and sustainability experience.
Other Saudi entities participating in ADSW include the Saudi Industrial Development Fund, the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, SABIC, the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, the Saudi Geological Survey, the Saudi Electricity Company, the Saudi Industrial Property Authority (MODON), the Industrial Clusters, King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, Saudi Energy Efficiency Center, King Abdullah Petroleum Studies & Research Center, the Renewable Energy Project Development Office, and Dussur.
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week is one of the largest gatherings of its kind in the world. Last year, it attracted more than 38,000 attendees, 200 speakers, 800 exhibitors from 45 countries, with more than 170 countries represented.