JEDDAH — The 6th Edition of Smart Grid and Green Energy Conference and Exhibition 2016 opened yesterday in Jeddah as researchers, designers and developers gathered to discuss the opportunities in solar, wind and advanced smart grid technologies. The official opening ceremony at Jeddah Hilton was inaugurated by Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources for Electricity Affairs Dr. Saleh Alawaji on behalf of Eng. Khalid A. Al-Falih, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources. Running until Dec. 9, the Smart Grid 2016 comprises a number of technical seminars and workshops highlighting a number of major industry topics. Speaking to media, Alawaji stressed that smart grids are the core of global great interest these days whereas global investments in this field and its related technologies are in high demands. He added "technologies play in all aspects of our life particularly in the field of electricity where they would play an active role in raising efficiency of the electric array and enhancing reliability and security that by their turn saves in investments necessary for the electricity sector." The conference also covers major areas like renewable energy and grid integrations, sustainable computing and communications, smart cities, automation technologies, power system planning, operation and maintenance, regulatory aspects and market operations. Beside this the conference because of its unique and dynamic nature has invited all the eminent and distinguished experts from this field. Alongside the technical paper sessions of Saudi Arabia Smart Grid (SASG 2016), an exhibition is staged to provide an opportunity for companies, consulting firms, researcher/academic organizations, and the government offices to display and demonstrate their activities, services and products. Speaking about their participation at this year's Saudi smart grids, Dr. Talaat bin Dhafer Al-Zafer, head of the government affairs in Saudi Arabia, Middle East and Africa of the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), said "SABIC's participation and sponsorship of the conference and exhibition is driven by its sense of national responsibility, and is in line with its strong commitment to support national development as a pioneering company in the Kingdom." He said "Saudi Smart Grids conference is a prestigious event for the regional energy industry and provides an ideal networking platform that helps us interact with top utility providers and energy professionals, in order to stay ahead of trends, as well as drive innovation and ideas." He noted that the added value it provides to Saudi Arabia's strong and growing economy, and its position as a local and international industrial leader. Meanwhile, Dukhail Al Malki, director of transportation and distribution of Marafiq - Power and Water Utility Company for Jubail and Yanbu, agreed that Saudi Smart Grids conference and exhibition is a very important event which gathers local, regional and international experts to share their latest technologies and innovations. " Our participation in this important event comes from our commitment for taking part in all national events which always bring positive results for the interest of our country," he said. Saudi Arabia has set a target for installing 3.5GW of renewable energy capacity by 2020, according to the latest announcements regarding its National Transformation Plan (NTP).
