Bulk of Saudi power sector infrastructure locally made, says official

More than 60 percent of the infrastructure required in power generation in Saudi Arabia-- including cables, high pressure towers and distribution plants--is locally manufactured, a senior official said.

Saleh Bin Hussein Alawaji, who is acting undersecretary for Electricity Affairs at the ministry of energy, industry and mineral resources, said the restructuring of the electricity sector was proceeding well, and he expected it to be completed in a year.

Alawaji said that some of the restructuring had to be reviewed because of the new developments relating to the privatization of the sector.

He was speaking on at a press conference ahead of the Saudi Electricity Forum slated for 10-12 October in Riyadh.