Experts in Oman focus on energy efficiency

Muscat: Energy efficiency policies, technologies and practices for the industrial and building sectors in the EU and in the GCC region are being discussed during a two-day executive workshop starting on Sunday in Muscat.
The event, organised by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) and the EU-GCC Clean Energy Technology Network, has gathered more than 180 experts representing policy makers, authorities, industry, building energy-users, engineers and technology providers, as well as academicians and researchers.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are now embarking on a clean energy transition pathway, which targets more sustainable, efficient and cost-effective methods for using energy. Energy efficiency and technologies, including smart technologies and smart cities, can play a major role in reducing energy usage, and thus emissions.
Regarding the gathering, Raoul Restucci, Managing Director of PDO, said, “PDO has seen considerable achievements in energy efficiency, both in our hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon portfolios, and we all must continue to engage with academics and researchers to share best practices and seize opportunities in pursuit of a greener, more diversified economy."
“Events such as this show the rising importance of energy efficiency and management, as we seek to curb carbon emissions and address climate change,” he added.
Taina Sateri, Trade Counsellor in the European Union Delegation in the UAE, added, “On energy efficiency, the European Union is keen to share with Oman and the GCC region the lessons learnt and best practices on energy efficiency standards, policies and best practice technologies, and on promoting research co-operation. EU countries have implemented energy efficiency measures in all sectors, and these have contributed considerably to a decrease in EU energy consumption."
“With legislation and ambitious programmes, we expect considerable benefits in the future. In June 2018, a political agreement was reached for a binding energy efficiency target for the EU for 2030 of 32.5 per cent, with a clause for an upwards revision by 2023,” he added.
During the gathering, high level addresses were also made by Dr Hilal M. Almukhaini, Director, Energy Department, GCC Secretariat General, and Dr Mustapha Taoumi, Energy Technology Expert, EU GCC Clean Energy Technology Network.
“This PDO-EU GCC Clean Energy Technology Network executive workshop brings together policy, technology and research representatives to debate key challenges and partnership opportunities for the energy efficiency sector in the two regions,” noted Dr Mustapha Taoumi, Energy Technology Expert of the EU GCC Clean Energy Technology Network, during his opening address.
“The EU GCC Clean Energy Technology Network is a mechanism that can facilitate this interaction and exchange among the two regions,” he added.
The two-day executive workshop includes high level sessions on strategies and markets for energy efficiency technologies; strategies, policies and regulations to promote energy efficiency technologies; business models and financing; energy efficiency in buildings and advanced cooling technologies; energy management within industry sectors; smart cities, smart buildings and digital technologies; as well as dedicated sessions on EU-GCC cooperation opportunities and a PDO Majlis event on energy efficiency.