Prince Abdul Aziz will chair the second session of the forum carrying the slogan “Oil and Renewable Energy to Complement Not to Compete” with the participation of many international experts.

The Presidency of Meteorology and Environment Protection will supervise the event.  The forum will discuss topics related to oil as the basic source of energy in addition to the progress made in the sphere of renewable energy, which plays a major role in the protection of the environment from pollution and climate change. “Despite the comparatively higher cost of renewable energy projects, there is a strong national effort to develop the sector with the help of science and technology in the Kingdom.

“For instance, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology is currently conducting studies and research to harness solar energy while the King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology is launching a national initiative for water desalination with the help of renewable energy. The first plant under this initiative will be established in Al-Khafji,” the prince said.

He hoped that such projects would contribute to the production of energy and water in a way that serves the national economy. The forum and exhibition emphasized the concern of the Kingdom regarding environmental protection, he said.

The prince added that oil would remain the major source of energy in the world for next several decades because alternatives are still too costly.