JEDDAH: Soaring fuel consumption on Saudi Arabia’s roads has alarmed the Kingdom’s Program for Energy Efficiency, which blames poor performing cars for the problem.
Cars in the Kingdom average 13 kilometers per liter compared with 14 in the US, 15.2 in China and 20 in Europe, according to Ministry of Transport figures.
The statistics show road transport is responsible for almost a quarter of Saudi Arabia’s energy use, with 22 percent of energy use in the Kingdom directed at the transport sector, 90 percent of which goes on land transport.
About 910,000 barrels of fuel and diesel are consumed daily by 12 million vehicles, according to the Ministry of Transport statistics. By 2030, the number of vehicles is expected to reach 26 million, and daily consumption of fuel and diesel will be around 1.86 million barrels per day.
More than 80,000 kilometers of roads are being built to satisfy growing demand.
The National Center for Energy Efficiency has launched a five-week campaign (#to remain) to raise awareness of energy conservation. The campaign, under the umbrella of the Saudi Program for Energy Efficiency, will consider ways of reducing energy use without affecting living standards.
The Saudi Program for Energy Efficiency has been working with international car manufacturers for several years to improve fuel economy in imported vehicles.
Efficiency standards are expected to improve by 4 percent each year to reach 19 kilometers per liter by 2025.
A total of 78 manufacturers representing 99.7 percent of cars sales in the Kingdom will apply the Saudi “mileage economy standard.”
Improvements are expected to save at least 300,000 barrels of fuel and diesel each day by 2030.
Rapid population growth is also driving energy use in the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia’s current population is around 30 million with an annual growth rate of 2.7 percent. Economic and social development over the next decade will ensure further population increases.
Quarter of Saudi Arabia’s energy use goes on road transport, figures reveal
Quarter of Saudi Arabia’s energy use goes on road transport, figures reveal
Riyadh school enters Guinness World Records with Book Bloom 500
- Pravin Patel: This remarkable literary milestone that captured our attention was held as part of the largest creative writing lesson
- Veteran Saudi media doyen Khaled Almaeena was the chief guest at the Book Bloom 500 ceremony
RIYADH: Hundreds of schoolchildren in Riyadh have made history after reaffirming that books still matter in an age of disruptive technologies and fleeting distractions.
The Saudi capital recently witnessed the simultaneous launch of 500 works authored by students of Alif International School, a collective record for the highest number of student-authored books launched in a single, collaborative effort.
The achievement has earned the students a place in the Guinness World Records, a milestone marked by an impressive ceremony titled Book Bloom 500.
“This remarkable literary milestone that captured our attention was held as part of the largest creative writing lesson,” said Pravin Patel, the official adjudicator for Guinness World Records.
He praised the Book Bloom 500 initiative and said the successful project fulfilled all the specifications required for the record.
Veteran Saudi media doyen Khaled Almaeena was the chief guest at the Book Bloom 500 ceremony, which was attended by prominent members of the Saudi and expatriate communities, along with parents and teachers.
Addressing the gathering, the former editor-in-chief of Arab News congratulated the young authors and expressed the hope that many of them would grow into great writers contributing meaningfully to shaping the world and advancing the betterment of humanity.
He also reminded parents and teachers of their vital responsibility in nurturing children to achieve holistic development.
The little authors were delighted as dignitaries unveiled their books. Their radiant smiles reflected the joy and pride of setting a world record through their journey as published authors.
Sheikh Ali Abdurahman, the chairman of the Alif Group of Schools, praised the teamwork that had made the historic accomplishment possible.
Luqman Ahmed, the CEO of the Alif Group of Schools, talked about the year-long efforts undertaken by school authorities, teachers, and parents to realize the feat.
He said: “Our dedicated teamwork has been instrumental in nurturing new writers and authors, and followed relentless efforts to instill a reading habit among all 1,300 students of the school without exception, eventually guiding more than one-third of them into the world of authorship.”
He added that this had resulted in the publication of books across diverse subjects in English, Arabic, and five other languages.
Mohammed Mustafa, Alif International School’s principal, highlighted the school’s project of introducing students to the world of reading while pursuing its mission of transforming education into a joyful journey with the motto “A School With a Smile.”
He said: “We introduced the Read and Rejoice program as part of co-curricular activities to bring students closer to stories and help them embrace books as companions in sharpening their thinking, enriching their language, calming their minds, and enhancing their emotional intelligence.”
The ceremony also included captivating performances from young children.
