Saeed Haider

Saudi Gazette

AL-AHSA — The Energy Efficiency Exhibit, which is being run under Saudi Aramco’s Ithra-Knowledge program, has captured the imagination of the residents of Al-Ahsa region, who have thronged the exhibit area in large numbers with family members.



With most schools closed, the exhibition has acquired the status of vacation destination where energy-related information mixed with fun has attracted people of all age groups, particularly students.



The main focus of the exhibition is on energy conservation and means to prevent misuse of various forms of energy. The exhibit, which has already covered Jeddah and Dammam and earned huge accolade from the residents of the two cities, is now running to capacity in Al-Ahsa.



Wael Al-Mulaa, supervisor of the Energy Efficiency Exhibit, in one of his demonstrations to the visitors disclosed that the annual growth of power usage in the Kingdom, which is reaching around 7 percent annually is supposedly the highest in the world.



He said that the measures for power conservation recommended by the exhibition could well help in reducing the domestic electric bill be 50 percent.



There are several press literature in both Arabic and English on various aspects of energy conservation and the effect of energy misuse on day-to-day life as well as on the world environment.



The visitors expressed special interest in the high LED technology in conserving electricity. They were also educated on Energy Efficiency Six Stars card (on refrigerators, air conditioners, and washing machines). It was defined as a card that aims to educate the user, and to provide consumers important information about the energy efficiency of a device so they can opt for right device with high efficiency.



“The exhibit is by far the best in the whole program. We learned a lot and I can't wait to tell my parents about the electricity bill," said one of the excited students on his way out.



The exhibition officials said that the show had a very positive impact on the residents of Jeddah and Dammam.



“We got feedback that many residents have applied our recommended power saving methods and have drastically cut their electricity bill,” said one of the members of the exhibition.



In its first week the Ithra Knowledge program attracted nearly one million visitors.



The program will continue until April 18 with a variety of exhibits in six different tents, namely: 1001 Inventions, Energy Efficiency, The Beautiful Name of Allah, The Generations Oasis, Let's Green It, and the Fire Tent.