With the rapid rise of smart cities and the burgeoning need for energy-efficient smart lighting, Saudi Arabia’s lighting market is expected to grow exponentially over the next few years to $1.46 billion by 2026, according to industry experts.
According to Abdulaziz Al-Azem, Founder and Design Principal of Design Technology Services lighting Consultants & Advisor to Royal Commission of Riyadh City DQO, the growing state-of-the-art giga-projects being constructed across the kingdom is a major driver for the lighting industry.
“We’re witnessing exponential growth in the lighting and design industry at the moment and it makes sense given Saudi Arabia’s future smart city plans. From the rise of smart homes, IoT disruptors, heritage preservation, the sheer escalation of the country’s entertainment sector, and Saudi Arabia’s maturing sports sector; these factors are all creating additional demand on the lighting and technology industry, and it’s all being underpinned by one of the biggest trends: sustainability,” said Al-Azem.
Offering a dedicated platform for the global and regional lighting industry and looking to showcase trends, cutting-edge technology and innovative products is this year’s Lighting Design & Technology Expo.
Taking place from the 10 to 12 September at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Centre, this year’s Lighting Design & Technology Expo will bring together lighting designers, consultants, system integrators, engineers, architects, the hospitality industry, interior designers and fit-out companies all under one roof to find solutions for their upcoming projects.
Reducing energy consumption
With an increased shift towards energy efficiency as part of its smart city plans, Saudi Arabia is looking to reduce electricity consumption through smart lighting technology. As the government invests heavily in smart and sustainable cities like NEOM – the biggest smart city in the country – ALNAMA Smart City and THE LINE (within NEOM), the demand for lighting is forecast to grow at CAGR of 7.1% over 2023-2028 and reach around $1.46 billion by 2026, according to market research and business intelligence experts, EMR.
“The introduction of IoT has revolutionised the lighting industry and is significantly changing the way we’re thinking about energy efficiency and consumption. With the government of Saudi Arabia encouraging the use of smart lighting solutions, we believe that this will play a big role when it comes to the future of lighting in Saudi Arabia,” added Al-Azem, who is also a speaker at this year’s Lighting Design & Technology Summit.
“From residential buildings and homes, to Saudi Arabia’s new resorts and hotels, and to the rise of digitally-tech savvy retail and office space, we’re witnessing immense demand for innovative and energy-efficient lighting products that can fit into the country’s ever-evolving real estate needs,” said Elaine O’Connell, Vice President Design and Hospitality of dmg events, which organises the Lighting Design & Technology Expo, part of dmg events.
“What we really want to illustrate at this year’s Expo is the range of solutions we have on offer, the game changing trends in design and aesthetics, and reveal how lighting products can be used as part of the kingdom’s sustainability agenda over the next seven years.”
Co-located with the Hotel & Hospitality Expo, and INDEX Saudi Arabia, the Lighting Design and Technology Expo will also feature The Lighting Design & Technology Summit, which will tackle emerging trends in the lighting industry in an engaging way with thought-leaders and regional experts.
From sessions around the current market, industry challenges, to discussions that reveal the business outlook predicting what the next few years will look like, the summit will create valuable learning experiences through keynotes, panel discussions and fireside chats.