Industry players from the power and water sectors will discuss key issues and investment opportunities in the industry, at an exhibition to be held in Abu Dhabi in September.

The sixth edition of Power + Water Middle East will be held in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (Adwea), at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, from September 23 to 25.

The GCC investments in the power sector is estimated at $250 billion in the next five years, according to a study titled 'Power UAE', published by Global Business Reports. It said that the next five to ten years will be crucial in shaping not only the UAE power sector, but will also change the face of the power industry in the GCC and wider Middle East.
 
With the power sectors of Abu Dhabi and Dubai experiencing rapid growth, experts estimate the annual growth in demand for electricity will rise by eight to ten per cent over the next 10 years.

The report added that Abu Dhabi’s power sector remains on top of the regional investment table with eight independent power and water producers in operation, along with the introduction of the GCC’s first nuclear project which is now in its construction phase and slated to be fully operational by 2020.

In Dubai, there are currently 11 plants varying from 400 MW to 1,400 MW with a total capacity of almost 9,000 MW.  This is in addition to the new Dh300 million ($81.7 million) project to extend and activate a 132 KW transmission cable network to redistribute electricity load and provide stable electricity and water services throughout the city.  

Meanwhile the northern emirates of Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain possess minimal natural resources and are in the initial stage of industrial development, with each stepping up efforts to build on their power and water sectors and encourage foreign investment to drive growth.

Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, director general of Adwea, said: “Economic diversification and demographics are driving the development of the power and water sectors in Abu Dhabi and the GCC, underlining the fact that the region is not only one of the fastest growing but also holds the most potential of global electricity markets.”

Anita Mathews, director of Informa Energy Group, organisers of Power + Water Middle East, added: “Abu Dhabi and Dubai have some of the world’s highest levels of electricity use per capita and efficiency of both electricity usage and generation will be the main concern across the UAE, GCC and Middle East regions in the coming years, especially with climatic changes demanding increased consumption of water and electricity in the summer months.

“While all major players in the power sector have established a strong position in the GCC with newer companies entering the market every year, Power + Water Middle East 2013 will provide the ideal meeting place for regional and international suppliers of products and services that will drive investment for future projects across the power sector.”

Power + Water Middle East has so far attracted more than 100 exhibitors from 25 countries wishing to network and offer solutions to regional power generation, water and nuclear energy industries.

The event returns with the Power + Water Leader’s Forum taking place alongside the exhibition on 23 September, providing an opportunity for senior level professionals in the power and water industries to network with key industry players not only from the region but across the world to discuss and debate core topics affecting the power and water sectors across the GCC. - TradeArabia News Service