Dr. Abdullah Al-Shahri, governor of the Electricity & Cogeneration Regulatory Authority (ECRA), said that government agencies consume about 13 percent of the total electrical power output in Saudi Arabia.

He urged these agencies to find ways to reduce consumption.

“Many agencies simply do not conserve energy because they have no incentive to do so since electricity bills are paid directly by the Ministry of Finance to the electricity company,” he said yesterday.

“If there were a budget item for power consumption at every government agency, and if the head of the agency were asked to pay for consumption in excess of the amount allocated in the budget for power usage, I think they would monitor their power consumption and invest in power conservation,” he said.

He said that the ECRA held a meeting with the Saudi Electric Company (SEC), the service provider, to see SEC’s arrangements for the summer season, called the “peak season,” because it is known for the surge in power consumption.

“We have indications that this season will be better than the last. We were told by the SEC that generation capacities, capacities of power relay and distribution networks are good. We coordinated with other power generators like Saudi Aramco, to ensure that their generating stations are all set for the summer season. We also anticipate receiving support from the Gulf grid,” he said.

He noted that the Saudi per capita power consumption is too high. “Buildings have no thermal insulation and electrical appliances are not power-efficient. Of concern is the use of air conditioners, which make up the largest share of consumption, not to mention water heaters,” he said.

“We urge the government to put in place regulations that curb the importation of low-efficiency electrical appliances. In fact, we wish that thermal insulation in buildings be imposed as part of the building code. This will cut down the power bill by 50 percent or so, which in turn will save the fuel used to generate electricity. The state subsidizes power usage with hundreds of millions each year. I do not think this is sustainable,” he said.