The brainstorming session for the 10th Saudi Water and Power Forum to set a roadmap for sustainable development in the sector was held in Riyadh on Tuesday.

Public and private stakeholders working in the Kingdom sat together at the opening session to review the decade long journey of the forum in its quest to meet global standards.

The forum, which opened here on Monday, began the technical session with the public sector representatives sharing government perspective by highlighting the Kingdom’s success over the decade in water and power sector and asserted on identifying the roadmap for sustained growth in these areas.

Saleh Alawaji, chairman of the board of directors, Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) and deputy minister for electricity, seconded the call for assessment of the successes over the past 10 years.

“Indeed it is time to assess the whole situation, targets, time-frame and set goals, keeping in view the challenges and opportunities for the industry moving forward,” he added.

Echoing the sentiment, Loay bin Ahmad Al-Musallam asserted that the government is committed to achieving sustained growth.

“Our vision is to specialize in the water and power sector to meet global standards,” he said.

When asked why there are many foreign companies working in these areas across the Kingdom despite many established Saudi entities in the field, Al-Musallam said: “Indeed we have many Saudi companies; it is not that Saudi companies are not preferred. But then there are some companies that do not meet the global standards set for the industry to achieve sustainable development. Therefore, foreign partners and not foreign companies are encouraged to share their expertise.”

He added: “We are committed to considering Saudi companies on priority basis. Certainly, such local companies need to fulfil international standard and adopt global practices in the fields of water treatment and desalination. Moreover, we have to address concerns like customer satisfaction.”

Speaking during the session, Abdullah Al-Shehri, governor of Electricity and Co-generation Regulatory Authority (ECRA), highlighted strategies and vision saying the government is working at various levels with ambitious plans to upgrade, expand and transform the power and water sector and further develop desalination method of water for potability, which is a major requirement.

Abdulrahman Al-Ibrahim, governor, Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC), said innovations in water and energy technologies are prerequisites, adding that the region lacks natural water source and relies on desalination.

There is a huge investment in water and power sector and this necessitates holding this forum and exhibitions for the exchange of experiences among various stakeholders and development of capabilities.

Maher Al-Odan, head of research, development and innovation at the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE), said that a comprehensive work plan is in progress to reduce dependence on petroleum products for electrical energy and shift reliance toward renewable energy to decrease carbon emissions.

The public sector session was moderated by Bakr Hamzah Khoshaim, chairman of Khoshaim Holding Company.

The next session on private perspective was moderated by David Hobbs, research head at King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC), where Paddy Padmanathan, CEO of ACWA Power, which is the principal sponsor of the event, said the forum that started in 2004 has passed through a remarkable decade.

ECRA, the regulator for the sector is well established in 10 years and making concerted efforts by engaging in comprehensive development works.

The Kingdom is working on the world’s largest desalination plant in Rabigh, northwest of Jeddah, he added.

Mohammed Mohaisen, CEO of GE power generation products and services for MENA region, made his assessment over the ongoing works in renewable energy.

Notably, GE is working in partnership with SEC on hybrid energy project in the Kingdom, which aims to integrate solar energy with combined cycle plant to generate power.

There was also a session on renewable energy with brainstorming on advances in renewable desalination, strategies to create green utilities by adding more value and showcasing the route to boost generating capacity, saving energy and maximizing efficiency to capture full energy value.

During the session, the guest speakers highlighted advances in renewable desalination and discussed upcoming trends.

The theme for the three-day annual forum and exhibition this year is, “achieving sustainable development through innovation.”

Notably, it is the premier water and power forum in the Kingdom, which plays key role in establishing connections between various stakeholders and partners for desired growth.

Significantly, water scarcity is a stark reality as freshwater makes up a very small fraction of the available water in the Kingdom and the sustainable availability of potable water is a major concern in the region mostly surrounded by sea full of saline water.