ABHA: Prince Turki bin Talal, Asir governor and chairman of the Development Authority of Asir, discussed the work of the area’s electricity company during a meeting with officials. He oversaw the workflow of the company’s ongoing projects, as well as the projects currently being discussed and their approved budgets. The prince examined the setbacks facing the implementation of electricity work and their urgent solutions.
The discussions came during a meeting with officials from the Saudi Electricity Co. that was chaired by Energy Minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman via video conference.
At the start of the meeting, Prince Turki looked into the ongoing projects and the completion ratio of each project, as well as the projects adopted in the 2020 budget.
There are 31 projects amounting to SR3.9 billion ($1 billion), including 17 projects at a cost of SR2.4 billion, and 14 projects approved in the 2020 budget at a cost of SR1.5 billion.
He reviewed mechanisms to address electricity cuts in the area, such as reusing generators at the Bisha and Asir stations and providing mobile generators.
He also examined medium-term projects that will be completed in 2020, and long-term projects that will be completed next year and in 2022.
Urgent solutions were discussed by determining the number of units that had been reused, generation capacity, operation history, and enhancing the electrical system’s reliability.
Asir governor examines setbacks facing electricity projects in the region
https://arab.news/ry3tn
Asir governor examines setbacks facing electricity projects in the region
- There are 31 projects amounting to SR3.9 billion ($1 billion), including 17 projects at a cost of SR2.4 billion, and 14 projects approved in the 2020 budget at a cost of SR1.5 billion
Saudi authority sets new standards for beach operators on the Red Sea
JEDDAH: The Saudi Red Sea Authority has announced a new regulatory framework for beach operations, redefining beaches as managed operating sites rather than informal recreational spaces, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The framework introduces standardized requirements for beach operators, focusing on licensing, safety, risk management and service quality across coastal tourism activities.
Under the regulations, beach operations will be permitted only through licensed entities, with license issued for two-year periods.
Renewal applications must be submitted at least 30 days before expiration. The authority said the system is intended to bring consistency to beach management and provide operators with clearer operational timelines.
The framework applies along more than 1,800 km of Red Sea coastline and establishes a unified national approach to regulating beach activities. The authority said no beach operation will be allowed without an official license.
The initiative supports the authority’s broader objectives to develop a coastal tourism sector that contributes SR85 billion ($22.66 billion) to GDP by 2030, creates approximately 210,000 jobs, and attracts 19 million visitors, the SPA noted.
To ensure a smooth transition, the regulations will come into effect one month after their announcement, while existing operators will be granted a one-year grace period to comply.
Safety forms a central pillar of the new framework. Licensing conditions include environmental permits, insurance coverage, approved safety plans, defined activity zones, and assessments of beach capacity.
Operators will also be required to provide licensed lifeguards, safety equipment, and systems for incident reporting and analysis.
The requirements extend to infrastructure and operation standards, including compliance with the Saudi Building Code to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities and structural safety.
Operators are also encouraged to align with international benchmarks such as Blue Flag standards and the ISO 13009:2024 for beach management, the SPA added.
The authority said this framework is designed to reduce operational risks, improve oversight and support the sustainable development of coastal tourism.
Unified requirements reduce operational risks, minimize inconsistencies, and improve the sector’s ability to attract financing and scale sustainably.
