Saudi government entities recognized for energy efficiency

Awards were given out at a special ceremony in Riyadh. SPA
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RIYADH: Almost 40 Saudi government departments received a 100 percent efficiency rating from the body responsible for monitoring energy consumption in the Kingdom.

At a special ceremony in Riyadh, the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center’s Director General Nasser Al-Ghamdi honored 90 state institutions for environmetally friendly practices. 

The entities were divided into three categories and related to 2022, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The first group encompassed 37, achieving “Grade A” with 100 percent compliance levels and significant energy savings. 

In comparison, the second division included 17 entities achieving “Grade B” with compliance levels of 85 percent and above, accompanied by noticeable energy conservancies.

The third category included 36 government institutions achieving “Grade C” with compliance levels of 85 percent and above, though without significant energy savings.

During a speech at the ceremony, Al-Ghamdi stated: “In government entities, the center follows a comprehensive approach to enable them to implement energy consumption improvement mechanisms according to royal directives.”

Al-Ghamdi highlighted that Saudi Arabia is focusing on enhancing energy production and utilization effectiveness, affirming that this is crucial to achieving economic and sustainable development. He also underscored the importance of conserving natural resources, citing its significance in achieving Vision 2030 objectives. 

Since the establishment of the SEEC, it has targeted the primary divisions that account for over 90 percent of local energy utilization, according to Al-Ghamdi.

These sectors include industry, buildings, and land transportation. Several initiatives have been implemented gradually to establish standards and specifications for energy efficiency in the targeted fields.

The director general explained that the building sector is divided into three categories: residential, commercial, and government structures and facilities. 

The center has collaborated with relevant parties to implement initiatives that improve energy consumption in the government, industrial, and transportation sectors. 

Al-Ghamdi emphasized that this will contribute to significant energy savings, potentially directed toward beneficial developmental aspects for citizens and the nation.

He added that enabling the state’s entities to implement enhancements in energy consumption mechanisms involves applying necessary standards to improve utilization efficiency in all existing and upcoming government facilities. 

He concluded his address by congratulating the efficiency teams within government entities that achieved advancements in consumption patterns in 2022.

The attendees then witnessed a presentation on the government entities’ energy consumption improvement program, followed by a detailed overview of the empowerment journey for official agencies to implement the initiative, as reported by SPA.