Industry leaders will analyse trends, opportunities and effective policies

MEED, the region’s business intelligence provider announced that the second Arabian Power and Water Summit will take place on March 30 and 31 at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi, under the patronage of the Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA). H.E. Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, Director of Privatisation Directorate of ADWEA, will deliver the keynote address.

The event is expected to provide key intelligence on the industry with a comprehensive analysis of the current projects in the regional power and water market, with facts, figures and forecasting. Angus Hindley, Research Editor, MEED, will update delegates on the progress of power and water restructuring programmes of key countries.

The Summit will be preceded by the Alternative Energy Forum, which will be held on March 29 at the same venue, and will also provide critical information and insights into trends within the GCC and discuss the possible implications of the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference for the region. Also under discussion will be the creation of effective and workable energy conservation policies in addition to identifying the ideal portfolio for the future generation of GCC.

According to MEED, the region’s power and water industry faces increasing pressure to generate increasing energy and water supply due to its rapid population growth in the last few years, nudging key clients and developers to act and prepare for future demand expectations. MEED estimates that new power capacity requirement up to 2015 is 7,500MW and new desalination requirement up to 2015 is 310 million gallons per day, which calls for substantial investment.

“The power and water industry is vital to ensuring the economic success of the region. So it is of critical importance that companies and individuals have their fingers firmly on the pulse of industry developments and the opportunities within it,” said Edmund O’Sullivan, MEED Events Chairman.

“Our second Arabian Power and Water Summit will host an unprecedented gathering of industry leaders and encompass prime intelligence and real facts.

Ahmed Gumatti, General Desalination Corporation, Libya, will speak on the ambitious power and water plans inhis country. Kamel Sid from Sonelgaz will provide an update about developments in Algeria. Senior representatives from Mubadala Development Company and International Power are expected to join the programme. Wartsilla, a lifecycle power solutions provider for the marine and energy markets, is the gold sponsor.