A German trade delegation comprising representatives of eight companies will visit Saudi Arabia on October 1 to promote bilateral cooperation in the fields of solar power and seawater desalination.

 

“The visit will be mutually beneficial for both countries. The eight companies will not only be introducing various sources of energy, but will also transfer technology to local firms,” Andreas Hergenroether, a delegate of the German Industry and Commerce for Saudi Arabia and Yemen said.

 

Hergenroether said Saudi Arabia bears excellent conditions for the generation of solar energy because of its high rate of daily sunshine.

 

A report issued last month said Saudi Arabia was set to pump out 10.5 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude in the third quarter, one-million barrel increase over the second quarter and its highest quarterly level production ever.

 

Heregenroether said that besides being an alternative energy source, solar power also helps conserve the environment, unlike fossil fuel, which is a pollutant. Other environment-friendly sources of energy include geothermal and wind energy.

 

He said demand for desalinated seawater will also increase as the population grows.

 

Estimates last July indicated that Saudi Arabia’s total population had grown to 29.55 million. The 2013 population growth rate was estimated at 1.51 percent. It is the world’s 80th highest growth rate. Of the total figure, Riyadh accounts for seven million, or 24 percent of the Saudi Arabia’s population.