Schneider Electric reaffirms commitment to shaping Saudi Arabia's solar energy sector

As platinum sponsors of the event, Schneider Electric additionally reiterated its commitment to shaping Saudi Arabia's solar energy future through highlighting renewable energy solutions, adding that it has deployed 400 MWp solar power plant projects, and 2 GWp of inverters connected to the grid.

A total solution provider for large PV power plants, Schneider Electric offers panel DC output to grid connection, monitoring, supervision and maintenance services.

Running from 16-17 September at the Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh the Annual Solar Arabia Summit combined private business meetings, a variety of networking sessions and a dedicated area to facilitate deal flow. The agenda included focused one-to-one business meetings, keynote presentations, and interactive panel discussions.

Jean-Claude Estival - Solar Business Manager, Infrastructure Business, Schneider Electric - France, presented a speech titled: 'Why the huge potential of Solar in Saudi Arabia is not enough'. He emphasized the role of Schneider Electric's capability in electrical distribution, automation and grid connections to support Solar projects in Saudi Arabia.

Coming at a time when Saudi Arabia has announced an investment of $109bn in the solar energy sector with an aim to generate 41 gigawatts 'GW' of solar power by 2030, the event offered a perfect platform for participants to showcase their strengths and capitalise on the investment.

Other senior Schneider Electric executives attending the event included Christian Campagne, Country President - Schneider Electric, Saudi Arabia, and Ahmad Al Rashood, Vice-President of Corporate Strategy, Business Development and Energy Management Solutions, Schneider Electric - Saudi Arabia.

Commenting on Schneider Electric's successful participation, Campagne said, "Saudi Arabia is roughly half the size of the European Union with some of the highest temperatures ever recorded on earth. The potential for solar energy production in Saudi Arabia is unrivalled. At Schneider Electric, we are committed to helping Saudi Arabia reach that potential."

In a view on the progress of the Solar initiative in Saudi Arabia, Al Rashood, said, "It's clear with the establishment of KACARE 'King Abdullah City for Atomic & Renewable Energy', that the clock started ticking. The KACARE plan is ambitious, but we believe our solutions and experience are enablers to achieving that ambition. This is especially the case in the less talked about subject of grid inter-connection and efficient conversion/distribution which is a huge challenge for Solar projects in Saudi Arabia."

Schneider Electric solutions help customers to significantly reduce total electrical installation costs and project cycle times. With more than 9,000 customers, over 1,000 employees, three manufacturing plants, a network of regional branches, local sales offices, authorised distributors, systems integrators, panel builders, and more than 100 sales outlets, Schneider Electric is ideally placed to service the growth in the Saudi Arabia solar power sector.

The Solar Arabia Summit brings together some of the world's top solar energy developers and solution providers - looking to play an active role in Saudi Arabia's solar sector. 150 carefully screened and personally invited chairpersons, presidents, owners, C-suite executives and investment directors from the largest financial institutions from across the GCC attended the Second Annual Solar Arabia Summit.