According to data given by Saudi Arabia to Joint Oil Data Initiative (JODI), Saudi direct crude oil burning in power stations rose 3.7% to 779,000 b/d in the peak month of August from 751,000 b/d in August 2011 – although some analysts question the figure. This was despite Saudi Aramco ramping up non-associated gas from the Karan field and boosting associated gas from extra crude production to replace Iran’s sales. The kingdom imported 40,000 b/d of fuel oil that month, in addition to domestic refineries’ output capacity of about 180,000-190,000 b/d. It also burns diesel in some power plants.
Saudi Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Ali Naimi, said Saudi Arabia faces the challenge of improving its energy efficiency, state-owned Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on 24 November. One of its most important goals is to reduce uses of oil, he said during the opening of Saudi Electricity Forum and Exhibition in Riyadh. It is imperative to raise the efficiency of the annual consumption of traditional energy, while maintaining social welfare, Mr Naimi said. Saudi citizens receive subsidized electricity, which encourages wasteful use of power consumption, instead of conservation. (CONTINUED - 755 WORDS)
