Prospects of renewable energy to promote zero-energy residential buildings in the KSA

With the advent of the 21^st century, global warming is one of the major challenges facing the world. The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the consumption of fossil fuel based energy resources are widely regarded as the main driving factor behind global warming and the consequent climate change. Construction industry, owing to its intense energy and material demands, is one of the major sectors to generate greenhouse gases (GHGs). Efforts are therefore being made across the world to develop energy efficient buildings. In this respect, Zero-Energy Buildings (ZEBs) are being developed in many countries. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is the largest consumer of fossil fuels in the Middle East as it meets all of its energy needs from oil and gas. The energy needs of the country are expected to rapidly grow in future because of a number of factors such as burgeoning population, high economic growth and low energy prices. The residential sector is responsible for 52% of the total national electricity consumption. Statistics suggest that almost 70% of the total projects in construction sector are related to residential buildings. It is further estimated that 2.32 million new homes are to be built by 2020 in order to meet the demand of growing population. This article looks into the prospects of renewable energy to promote ZEBs in the residential sector of the KSA. It provides a detailed account of the energy profile of the country. It also reflects upon the fundamental features of ZEBs. In this respect, the article investigates the potential of various renewable energy options to provide green energy for these buildings. It also reflects upon the barriers towards the development of these buildings. Finally, the article provides recommendations to promote the use of renewable energy sources in the KSA.