Renewable energy accord signed

Leading experts from across the region have gathered here to discuss ways to convert waste into energy that can be used to supplement their countries’ power needs.
The Fifth International Envirocities Conference has been organized by Madinah Municipality in collaboration with the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE), Dubai Municipality, Taibah University and the Environmental Center for Arab Towns and the Arab Towns Organization.
The conference is being held under the aegis of Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman. Madinah Mayor Khaled Taher opened the conference on Tuesday.
In a speech, Director General of Dubai Municipality Hussein Lootah said “waste is a byproduct of daily life and the way it is handled can affect a country either positively or negatively.”
Walid Abu Al-Faraj, vice president of KACARE, said the conference is aimed at finding ways to convert municipal waste into sustainable energy for cities of the future.
Abu Al-Faraj said studies have shown that the Kingdom can generate 3,000 megawatts of power by setting up plants to convert municipal waste. Detailed plans have been drawn up to add this to the power grid. There would also be jobs created for Saudis, he said.
Taher said several countries have made great strides in tackling environmental challenges and developed techniques to treat waste profitably and in a sustainable manner.
KACARE and the municipality signed an agreement to study ways to develop a renewable energy system in the province. The pact includes holding technical courses and training, tapping solar and wind energy for municipal facilities including street lighting and cooling systems.
The mayor also opened an exhibition on the sidelines of the conference. It is taking place at Taibah University until May 7.
The conference comes as the Kingdom has decided to introduce atomic and renewable energy for a “significant portion of Saudi Arabia’s future energy mix,” according to the conference’s website.