THE heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) sector in Saudi Arabia is expected to grow by 30 to 50 per cent to emerge as a SR4.5-billion ($1.19 billion) market by 2014, according to the organiser of a major energy and HVAC event set to be staged in the country next month.

The Riyadh Exhibitions Company (REC) says the kingdom remains a major market for air-conditioning due to its hot climate and high individual purchasing power coupled with its HVAC-dependent industries, which fuel the region’s largest economy.

“The domestic market for air-conditioners continues to boom due to four major factors: a growing population, the establishment of new businesses, continuous declines in equipment prices due to technological advancements, and a year-round hot climate,” says a spokesman for REC.

In line with this soaring demand, REC is staging Saudi Aircon 2012, the 13th international air-conditioning, ventilation, heating and refrigeration show, which will be held alongside Saudi Energy from May 7 to 10 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Aircon will introduce some of the latest and best air-conditioning technologies to the thriving Saudi HVAC market. It will feature exhibits on central units, instruments and controls; district cooling; split and window units; ducting systems; components and spare parts; ventilation systems; refrigeration and cooling; industrial fans; vents and grilles; large-capacity food storage; and supermarket, hotel and restaurant refrigeration.

“Given its unique geography, vibrant business environment and growing population, the kingdom is constantly in search of advanced air-conditioning systems that can provide comfort while supporting economic growth,” says Khaled Daou, project manager of Saudi Energy at the Riyadh Exhibitions Company.

He says Saudi Aircon provides a glimpse of what solutions are currently available and which are suited to the needs of Saudi consumers. “This event ties up nicely with the bigger Saudi Energy expo as HVAC is one of the Saudi Arabia’s biggest energy-consuming sectors as well.”

Saudi Energy, the 15th international trade exhibition for electricity, alternative energy, water technology, lighting and HVAC for Saudi Arabia will be held under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Water and Electricity and is accredited by UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. This year, the exhibition will devote a special section for alternative energy technologies and applications, offering a unique opportunity for companies specialised in this domain to showcase their products and technologies.