Will partner with naseba, organiser of business summits, exhibitions and professional training courses

According to a news release, following the success of the Qatar Alternative Energy Investors Summit 2010, Kahramaa – Qatar’s General Electricity and Water Corporation – has decided to partner with naseba, producer and promoter of business events, to host the 2011 edition of the summit. It will take place on March 16 and 17 at the Sharq Village Hotel and Spa in Doha.

Kahramaa claimed that this year’s event would be bigger and showcase regional alternative energy projects and initiatives, and host investment bodies, private investors and international and regional decision makers from across the industry to create a platform for raising capital for leading regional projects. The two-day summit would be attended by over 100 representatives from government authorities, investment firms, and industry service providers, amongst others, it added.

His Excellency Essa bin Hilal Al-Kuwari, Acting Managing Director of Kahramaa, Chairman of Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA), expressing his optimism about the summit, said, “It is an excellent opportunity to meet with all pivots of the renewable energy industry, including the government representatives, the academics, the investors and the private sector representatives.”

He further stated: “This summit is important as it comes at a time when the world economy is heading towards recovery after 2009 recession. The Qatari economy, as part of the market economy, is seeking this opportunity to invest in renewable energy, which will eventually benefit both the economy and the environment.”

In alignment with the energy investments plans of the region, the summit will highlight the future energy outlook for Qatar and the Middle East, the announcement elaborated. Additional highlights are expected to include: government alternative energy strategies and goals; the investment landscape within alternative energy; and the risks, the rewards and return on investment – solar versus wind – the key factors that need to be considered before investing.

Nicholas Watson, Energy Series Director at naseba, providing further insight into the event, stated: “Qatar Investment Authority is earmarking $130 billion for investment over the next five to six years, $65 billion of which will be devoted to energy-related projects. Qatar has an anticipated growth rate of 20% in a region that has energy investments potential of $615 billion; and active government initiatives such as Kahramaa investing $4 billion in power generation and involvement in the first solar-powered desalination plant, Qatar will very soon become the region’s energy hub.”

Some of the alternative energy experts who are slated to discussing key issues during the summit include: His Excellency Essa bin Hilal al Kuwari, Dr Horst Kreuter, Member of Board of Directors, International Geothermal Association, Dr Dirar Khoury, Director of Institutional Research, Qatar Foundation, Ben Cotton, Partner, Earth Capital Partners, and Ennis Rimawi, Managing Partner, Catalyst Private Equity.

The organisers have announced that Helianthus Group, Altira group (Ecolutions Solar), AZMEEL International for Construction and Trading, I2BF, Kahramaa, International Geothermal Association, and Oxford Business Group, among others will be the main sponsors and partners for the summit.