How Saudi Arabia is redefining the international solar market

Global solar-tech leaders gathering in Riyadh to facilitate Saudi Arabia’s National Energy Plan; Kingdom to invest $109 billion in the solar energy sector for plans to generate 41 gigawatts of electricity through solar energy by 2032.

Fuelled by an ambitious vision, Saudi Arabia may be single handedly changing the face of the solar energy sector. If that seems like a tall order, consider the facts: recent global reports have indicated there is an excess supply of solar modules due to the current limited existing demand. As a result, some of the more popular solar markets of Europe, China and North America have become close to saturated.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia very recently announced plans to generate 40 GW of electricity through solar energy by 2032. As per the Kingdom’s National Energy Plan, the King Abdulaziz City for Atomic and Renewable Energy expects concentrated solar power technologies to amount to 25 GW. It may appear to be too ambitious a plan, but the Kingdom is serious about harvesting solar energy: the first tender for a 2,000 MW power plant is expected to be announced in early 2013 followed very shortly by a second tender for a 2,500 MW plant in 2014.

Given the dismal state of the almost saturated solar markets, Saudi Arabia’s growing interest in the solar industry is seen by many as a boost to the international market. The country’s solar power plants dreams are in focus at naseba’s 2nd Annual Solar Arabia Summit in Riyadh, which is providing a perfect backdrop for key policy-makers, government officials, investors and business conglomerates to capitalise on the Kingdom’s investment of US$109 billion in the sector.

In addition to the 40 global leaders in solar industry who have confirmed their participation on September 16th and 17th, 150 C-level solar energy executives are attending the summit. The  2nd Annual Solar Arabia Summit will comprise of an exhibition, networking sessions and panel  discussions including keynote presentations delivered by HE Dr Abdullah Mohammed Al Shehri, Governor, Electricity and Co-Generation Regulatory Authority, Saudi Arabia; and Gerhard Stryi-Hipp, Head of Energy Policy and Coordinator Smart Energy Cities, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy.

“Up until now, Europe (and particularly Germany) was leading the PV market. However, USA, Japan, India and especially China are growing markets while Europe is stagnating. Due to recent announcements from the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, we expect this region will also become an important player in the solar sector very soon” said Stryi-Hipp.

HE Dr Osama Fadl Al-Bar, Mayor, Holy City of Makkah has also confirmed his attendance and will be speaking on the 100 MW Makkah Municipality project and the scope for growth of solar energy in the region.

Nicholas Watson, Managing Director, naseba remarked: ““Amid reports suggesting that Saudi Arabia could exhaust their export oil supply by 2030, the Kingdom is obviously taking the wise approach to diversifying its energy sources to sustain economic growth. This summit is an excellent and well-timed platform for international solar developers and manufacturers who want to engage with key stakeholders in the country.”

For more information, contact

Sharath Ravi - Marketing Manager
2nd Annual Solar Arabia Summit
Tel: +971 44 55 7956
Mob: +97150 5253862 / +97150 3020286
Email: sharathr@naseba.com

Website: ksa.solarenergyseries.com

About naseba

naseba produces, promotes and hosts business summits, professional training courses and business exhibitions targeting executive level attendees across multiple industries. Each event is focused on re-education, networking and creating a deal-flow platform for all participating organisations. Whether it is raising capital, expanding to a new market, vendor sales contracts or sourcing a strategic partner, naseba facilitates and supports clients’ business development.

Our team of experts conducts extensive research in conjunction with recognised thought leaders to ensure that all events are relevant, timely and at the forefront of market and industry trends.

naseba collaborates with leading media, industry and local authorities, such as International Data Corporation (IDC), International Business Consultancy Group (IBCG), Saudi Trading and Resources Co. Ltd. (STAR Group Holdings), HIL International Lawyers & Advisers (HIL), International Herald Tribune, CNBC Arabia, Zawya, Council of Saudi Chambers, Asharqia Chamber, Abu Dhabi Health Authority, Ministry of Health - UAE, Ministry of Economy - UAE, Ministry of Environment and Water – UAE, Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation, Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning – Qatar, Privatization and Investment Board (PIB) – Libya, Principality of Monaco, Singapore Tourism Board, Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad, Department of Civil Aviation – Malaysia and many others.

Since its inception in France in 2002, naseba has organised over 400 events and played host to 58,000 executive delegates globally. Operating from four strategically located offices, naseba has on-the-ground presence in Monaco, Cairo, Riyadh, Dubai, Bangalore and Kuala Lumpur.

At naseba, we make it happen.

For more information on naseba, please visit www.naseba.com.

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