German Ambassador Dieter Haller opened the three-day “Renewables made in Germany” exhibition yesterday at the InterContinental Hotel in Riyadh.
“Let me begin by saying that Germany has abandoned nuclear energy not because it has suddenly become afraid of technology. On the contrary, it has decided to massively increase its share of renewables in its primary energy mix and in particular in electricity generation,” he said in his opening address.
He added that this has been done to save oil and gas resources for better use than as fuel for power generation.
“Using renewable energy will help diversify the economy and create jobs for the young population. As of now, 350,000 jobs have been created by using renewable energy. If it could be done in Germany, it could also be done in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
He added that using renewable energy also helps save the environment and prevent global warming.
The opening ceremony was attended by German Embassy officials who included Counselor for Economic Affairs Peter Hofman, German-Saudi Arabian Liaison Office (GESALO) for Economic Affairs Representative Mohammed Trad, InterContinental Hotels Group, members and other invitees.
Haller added that 25 percent of Germany's electricity generation comes from renewable sources and 12 percent of its final energy consumption. “There are countries with even higher percentages but Germany is the first major industrialized economy to have changed its energy mix in such a manner,” Haller said.
He added that renewable energies are based on sophisticated mechanical and electrical engineering, and Germany with its outstanding research institutes like Fraunhofer, Helmotz and Max Planck as well as innovative companies, is still very much a country of inventors and engineers. “This is the reason why Germany is globally second to none in the field of renewable energy technology. And since we are determined not only to develop but to deploy this technology, you learn from our experiences, which are a steady 'learning curve,' sometimes not free from also correcting mistakes,” he said.
On Germany's experience, he said: “Firstly, you have to give as much attention to the extension and the management of our electricity grid as to the power generating plants. You have to balance supply and demand, over the day and over the year. This — and the increasing interlinkage between the grids of European partners — opened up a completely new area of technology called smart grid.”
This includes sophisticated power distribution solutions, close monitoring of supply and demand, a flexible arrangement of main and secondary lines, and decentralization of energy generation where possible, and a variety of energy storage options,” he added.
Secondly, he said, it was crucial — on the policy side — for the success of the energy changes to involve all stakeholders. It is advisable to pursue an integrated approach and balance out the interests of the private sector, the consumers and the government.
“You have to find the right balance between the market forces and government subsidies. This is what we lay out in front of you today. We feel that Germany has much to offer and we like to invite you to share our experiences of what is possible with regards to renewable energy,” Haller said.
The 18th Conference of State Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention has started its deliberations in Doha, Qatar.
“For Germany, climate change is real. As a consequence, we see the sea-level rising, the ice of our glaciers melting, parts of the country drying and the incidence of forest fires increasing. Climate change is one of the most important driving forces behind the development of renewable energy,” the envoy said, adding that renewable energy and energy efficiency are above all key elements for readapting economies to the path of sustainability.
He also introduced the German Embassy's partners in promoting the use of renewable energies such as Green Gulf, Intercontinental Hotels, GESALO, Phoenix Solar, Centrotherm, Schott Solar, Gerber Architects, and Munich Re.
Green Gulf is the first private industrial initiative in the Kingdom to extend the solar value chain beyond the production of polysilicon, and to embark on the production of silicon wafers and photovoltaic modules.
GESALO disseminates information on the whole variety of technology available in Germany and helps in the formation of partnership between German and Saudi companies.
Phoenix Solar is the building arm of the Solar Park for the new KAPSARC Research Center of Saudi Aramco. Centrotherm is major manufacturer of silicon for photo-voltaics and other applications.
Schott Solar is a world-class provider of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology. Gerber Architects is building the new National Library on King Fahd Road, and is presenting a model for low-energy high-rise building.
Munich Re is one of the world's biggest re-insurance companies and has contributed significantly to research into the link between climate change and the frequency of extreme weather events. It proposes insurance solutions for a better adaptation to climate change.
The exhibition will continue in Riyadh until Nov. 28, and then move to Dammam on Nov. 30-Dec. 2, and to Jeddah on Dec. 5-7.
Renewable energy will help diversify economy
Renewable energy will help diversify economy
Over 3k flights cancelled across the Middle East after attack on Iran by the US, Israel
RIYADH: US and Israeli strikes on Iran led to widespread airspace shutdowns in the Middle East, canceling and rerouting thousands of flights and paralyzing key international travel corridors.
Flight cancellations affected seven airports across the Middle East, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE, Doha in Qatar, and Manama in Bahrain.
Emirates Airlines said in a statement: “Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended all operations to and from Dubai, up until 1500 hrs UAE time on Monday, 2 March.”
A flydubai spokesperson said the situation is evolving, and the airline is closely monitoring developments while coordinating with authorities to adjust its flight schedule.
“Our teams are working diligently to implement comprehensive welfare for all affected customers. The safety of our passengers and crew remains our highest priority,” the spokesperson said.
He added: “We are currently experiencing a high volume of calls and appreciate our customers’ patience while our teams work to assist everyone as quickly as possible.”
Qatar Airways announced that the airport will remain closed until at least the morning of March 2.
“Qatar Airways flights to, and from, Doha have been temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace,” the airline said.
It added: “Qatar Airways will resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace.”
Saudia also said in an official statement that it had canceled a number of flights due to developments in the region and the closure of airspace.
The organization said the decision was taken in line with aviation safety and security standards, noting that its Emergency Coordination Center is closely monitoring developments with relevant authorities.
Saudia urged passengers to verify the status of their flights before heading to the airport and said guests would be notified of updates through the contact details associated with their bookings.
The carrier added that further information would be announced in a subsequent statement if available.
Air Arabia also said its flights were experiencing cancellations, delays, or rerouting as a result of the evolving situation and airspace closures.
Airlines cited airspace closures and safety concerns as the main reasons for flight disruptions, urging passengers to check official channels for updates as the situation develops.
Israeli airspace also remained closed on March 1st. Israeli airline El Al said it was preparing a recovery effort to bring home Israelis stranded abroad once the airspace reopened.
Travelers were either stranded or diverted to other airports on Feb. 28 after Israel, Qatar, Syria, and Iran as well as Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain, closed their airspace.
After the UAE announced a temporary partial airspace closure, FlightRadar24 recorded no flights over the country.
The closures affected key hub airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad, airlines that operate from these hubs, normally handle around 90,000 passengers daily, with even more traveling to other Middle Eastern destinations, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Airports hit by attacks
Two airports in the UAE reported incidents as the government there condemned what it called a “blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles” on Feb.28.
Dubai International Airport, the UAE’s largest and one of the world’s busiest, reported four injuries, while Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport said a drone attack killed one person and injured seven others. Strikes were also reported at Kuwait International Airport.
Though Iran did not publicly claim responsibility, the scope of retaliatory strikes that Gulf nations attributed to Iran extended beyond the US bases that it previously said it would target.
Flight delays, cancellations are likely to continue
“For travelers, there’s no way to sugarcoat this,” said Henry Harteveldt, an airline industry analyst and president of Atmosphere Research Group.
“You should prepare for delays or cancellations for the next few days as these attacks evolve and hopefully end,” he added.
To avoid conflict zones, airlines are rerouting Middle East flights over Saudi Arabia, adding hours and fuel costs, which could push ticket prices higher if the tensions persist.
The extra flights will strain air traffic controllers in the Kingdom, who may need to slow traffic for safety. Meanwhile, countries that closed their airspace will lose out on overflight fees from passing airlines.
Mike McCormick, former head of air traffic control at the FAA and now a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, said some countries may reopen parts of their airspace in the coming days once US and Israeli officials provide airlines with details on military flight zones and Iran’s missile capabilities.
“Those countries then will be able to go through and say, ok, we can reopen this portion of our space but we’ll keep this portion of our airspace closed,” McCormick said.
“So, I think what we’ll see in the next 24 to 36 hours is how the use of airspace evolves as the kinetic activity gets more well-defined and as the capability of Iran to actually shoot missiles and create additional risk is diminished due to the attacks,” he added.
But it is unclear how long the disruption to flight operations could last. For comparison, the Israeli and US attack on Iran in June 2025 lasted 12 days.
