A smarter electricity grid for the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia: Perceptions and policy implications

Saudi Arabia aspires to transition toward a smarter electricity grid with increased reliance on renewable energy, where customers will use or produce green energy and where smart meters will enable customers to tailor their behavior and decrease their carbon footprint. The success of the transition is dependent on householder acceptance. This research studies the public's disposition toward a smarter grid. The Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia is taken as a case study through a field questionnaire to assess public knowledge about energy sources and environmental impacts on the environments, people's disposition toward a smarter electric grid, and the main motivations for undergoing this transition. A logit model is used to investigate determinants. Stated willingness is taken as a variable representing an individual's disposition. We found that the public is willing to use green energy, accept smart meters, or become co-producers. However, their fear of unknown technologies and perceptions about their high cost are major obstacles to their adoption. Enhancive knowledge, especially about ecological sensitivity, and governmental incentives will help to win public acceptance. Also, government subsidies that lower prices should be cut and dynamic pricing should be implemented to motivate electricity saving behavior.