RIYADH – Multinational corporations together with leading local business groups are confirming their participation in the region's first event dedicated to sustainable and energy-efficient solutions for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and district cooling (HVAC) industry. Organized by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Water and Electricity, Saudi HVAC Confex 2013, to be held on Feb. 11-13 at the Al Faisaliah Hotel in Riyadh, will unveil industry innovations as well as industry award recognizing best practice in the sustainable heating and cooling sector. As much as 70 percent of electricity consumption in Saudi Arabia goes on air conditioning, driven by population growth that is estimated to need more than 1.5 million new homes by 2015. Moreover, domestic energy demand is anticipated to double by 2030, further highlighting the critical need for effective energy efficiency strategies. With the Gulf's HVAC sector expected to grow by as much as 10 percent per annum, according to the UK-based Building Services Research and Information Association, manufacturers are responding with increased innovation in air conditioning equipment, building systems integration, and building automation and energy management. “The first SAUDI HVAC CONFEX offers a perfect platform for the industry to make the most out of the emerging opportunities in Saudi Arabia,” said Mahmoud Ghubn, Business Development and Operations Director at International Quality and Productivity Centre (IQPC), organizers of the event. “As power demand continues to increase, urgent steps are needed to limit carbon emissions and ensure the efficient use of natural resources.” Global consumer electronics leader Panasonic is targeting double-digit growth in Saudi Arabia with energy-efficient products it sees as ideal for tackling the Kingdom's alarming rate of electricity consumption. “We are privileged to be part of the HVAC Confex 2013, which fills an important niche in the ventilation and air-conditioning sector and creates an ideal platform for government decision makers and industry leaders alike,” said Hidekazu Tachibana, Director of the Consumer Electronics Department at Panasonic Middle East & Africa, silver sponsors of the new conference and exhibition. “Our aim at Panasonic is to be the number one green innovation company in the electronics industry by 2018, the 100th anniversary of our company. But the key challenge is raising awareness of the importance of energy-saving products.” Tachibana added: “We're positive government and industry clients will be proud of the new products on show at SAUDI HVAC CONFEX, designed especially for the needs of the local consumer.” The opening ceremony of Saudi HVAC Confex 2013 will be attended by Saudi Arabia's Minister of Water and Electricity Abdulah bin Abd-ur-Rahman Al-Hossein; Dr Taufiq bin Fozan Al-Rabia'ah, Minister of Commerce and Industry; Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and President of the National Program of Energy Efficiency; and Dr Mohammed ibn Ibrahim Al-Suwaiyel, President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology. Dr Saleh Al Awaji, Deputy Minister of Water and Electricity is a keynote speaker. A total of 50 speakers from the government and private sector will address the conference, 38 of whom are already confirmed, and more than 30 local and international companies will take part in the exhibition, including LG Electronics, Samsung, Saudi Tabreed, and Abdul Latif Jameel. Around 500 industry delegates will attend the three-day event. — SG
