KAUST, KACARE discuss cooperation on sustainable energy initiatives

 A delegation of senior officials from King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST) visited the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE) to discuss cooperation between the two institutions on sustainable energy in the Kingdom to reduce dependence on traditional crude oil-based energy resources.
Sustainable energy is obtained from non-exhaustible resources to serve present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Technologies that promote sustainable energy include renewable energy sources such as hydroelectricity, solar energy, wind energy, wave power, geothermal energy, bio-energy, tidal power and technologies designed to improve energy efficiency.
The KAUST delegation, headed by Nadhmi Al-Nasr, recently met with senior KACARE officials, led by Vice President Waleed Husain Abu Alfaraj, here at the headquarters, an official at the media department said on Wednesday.
The meeting began with a brief presentation about projects being executed by KACARE. The delegates also discussed future projects including the KACARE aspirations and visions.
KACARE is working closely with the Ministry of Transportation, Saudi Electricity Co. (SEC), Saudi Wildlife Authority (SWA) and the directorate-general of military survey to speed up work on an atlas of renewable energy as the project is a treasure of vital information and data related to energy security in the Kingdom.
KACARE’s renewable energy program includes Vision 2032, which aims to replace 50 percent of Kingdom’s dependence on traditional fossil fuel with eco-friendly renewable energy to be collected from resources which are naturally replenished on a human timescale such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves and geothermal heat.
Vision 2032 assumes greater significance as according to the government estimates, anticipated demand for electricity in the Kingdom is expected to exceed 120GW by 2032, hence, a balanced energy mix of alternative and conventional energy is strategically important for the Kingdom’s long-term prosperity, energy security and its leading position in the global energy market.
The KAUST delegates considered studies and research being carried out by the KACARE in the field of renewable energy.
“The joint meeting also discussed future opportunities for cooperation between KACARE and KAUST to work on sustainable energy,” the official said.