Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman toured several factories specialized in producing components for the energy sector in the Riyadh Industrial City on Wednesday. During the tour, he was accompanied by Minister of State Hamad Al-Sheikh, and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef.

The tour comes within the framework of the ongoing efforts to enhance localization in the energy sector, which aims to achieve a localization rate of 75 percent in the components of the sector by 2030. The ministers and a number of senior officials were briefed on the progress of production of energy equipment and electrical panels for connection, control, automation and distribution, and factories for smart ring linking units for electrical stations.

The tour of Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman included the factories of Al-Gihaz Holding Company, such as the new factory specialized in energy equipment and electrical panels, with a production capacity of 25,000 units annually. The minister was briefed on three of the main production lines located in one area, and watched a visual presentation of the rest of the lines and the high-quality production process of energy equipment and electrical panels for connection, control, automation and distribution.

The new factory is a cornerstone of the company's projects in the lines of engineering, design and automation of electricity network systems, in addition to manufacturing control panels and current and voltage conversion equipment. A total of 500 engineers and employees, including 100 Saudi female employees are working in the factory. It has plans to double the current production capacity in line with Saudi Vision 2030, and within the energy sector's targets to achieve a 75 percent localization rate in the components of the sector by 2030.

Prince Abdulaziz also visited Alfanar factories, where he was briefed on the production processes and advanced technologies used in them. He also listened to a detailed presentation on the company's work in the field of technology ownership and industry localization, and its effective role in increasing local content and strengthening the national economy.

During his visit to Alfanar, Minister of Energy inaugurated the smart ring-connection units factory, free of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), which is the first factory of its kind in the Middle East, where more than 700 Saudi female employees work. It represents a qualitative shift in the use of green technology and contributes to reducing the Kingdom's carbon footprint. The research and development team at Alfanar presented a presentation on the stages of progress made in green technology for medium voltage, and the achievements that enhance the company's position as a pioneer in innovation and technological development.

Prince Abdulaziz was also briefed on the company's efforts in renewable energy projects (wind and solar), the sustainable aviation fuel facility, carbon capture and storage technologies and green hydrogen. The company's advanced technological capabilities were also reviewed, which enable it to provide sustainable and advanced solutions for energy distribution. Alfanar is primarily engaged in manufacturing a wide range of low, medium and high voltage electrical construction products, EPC solutions for conventional and renewable power plants, allied engineering services and design engineering.