Saudi Arabia recently took a decision to ban the import or manufacture of air-conditioning devices non-compliant with the new or modified Saudi standards related to energy requirements and the minimum energy efficiency of air conditioners.
“The decision to ban the import of air conditioners that do not comply with Saudi standards will have its positive result — in eliminating imitated devices,” local media said quoting an expert.
The Kingdom’s air conditioner market, according to market analysts, is estimated at SR3 billion.
In light of the region’s trend toward diversifying the local economy away from oil and gas, Yousif Al-Mutlaq, CEO of Al-Issa Industries, said the industrial sector has a strategic diversification choice.
Al-Mutlaq, who was speaking on the sidelines of a smart electric application conference in Jeddah, also said the economic integration between the GCC countries in the current period makes it imperative for Saudi companies to consider the international market in a wider and more diverse perspective.
“Despite the great strides so far made in this regard, we believe the opportunities available are much larger. Therefore, we have invested heavily in localization of advanced industries. We had partnership with an American company specialized in the field of environmentally-friendly air handling units,” he added.
Al-Mutlaq, who was taking part in the international exhibition for building and construction projects (Big Five 2013 in Dubai), said the exhibition represents a gateway to the marketplaces of building and construction, refrigeration and air-conditioning in the Middle East and North Africa.
“The event provides an ideal opportunity for architects, engineers, contractors, developers and industrialists to meet and discuss the latest products and services in the construction sector, notably air-conditioning and refrigeration,” he said.
Saleh Al-Awaji, undersecretary at the Ministry of Water and Electricity, said 70 percent of the electricity loads during the summer is due to air conditioners.
Raising the efficiency of air conditioners is the main challenge for the consumption of electricity in Saudi Arabia, he added.
“The Ministry of Water and Electricity, along with the Authority for Electricity Regulation, is keen to improve the quality of service and reduce costs to the lowest levels,” Al-Awaji added.
New import rules for air conditioners welcomed
