Improved energy efficiency saved 492,000 BOE/D in 2023: Minister

Saudi Minister of Energy, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, said the continued improvement in energy efficiency and the upgrade of various devices contributed to savings of 492,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE/D) in 2023.

He added that this led to reducing harmful emissions to 57 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (MMTCDE), according to the annual report of the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center (SEEC).

The center continued its efforts to improve the efficiency of energy production and consumption, to preserve natural resources and confront climate change. It also continued to enhance and sustain economic and social well-being in the Kingdom, through several initiatives that achieved primary energy savings during 2023.

The minister added that the initiatives continued through the target sectors. In the industrial sector, which consumes 46% of primary energy (2.1 million BOE/D), the center focused on the most consuming sub-sectors, such as petrochemicals, cement, iron, and aluminum.

The initiatives included the regulatory energy efficiency framework for existing and new factories, as well as activating the application of the energy management system for other sectors.

In the building sector, which consumes about 29% of primary energy in the Kingdom (1.4 million BOE/D), the center intensified its efforts, in cooperation with the relevant authorities, to develop regulations and specifications for air conditioners, home appliances, thermal insulation products for buildings, and lighting products, in addition to rehabilitating government buildings and lighting roads.

As for the transportation sector, which consumes about 20% of primary energy (900,000 BOE/D), the center continued to implement initiatives to improve the energy efficiency of light and heavy vehicles, through adopting the Saudi fuel economy standard for light vehicles in the Kingdom, and issuing the tire energy efficiency standard.

The minister underlined some energy efficiency enablers, which contributed to supporting the success of these initiatives.

In addition, some initiatives were implemented to encourage investment and support the local content, through creating the necessary environment for providers of energy efficiency services and their beneficiaries to ensure the quality of services in the promising Saudi market, he concluded.