Region's renewable energy use set to double

According to the US Government's Energy Information Administration, alternative power use in the Middle East and Africa is expected to double to 2.4 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) by 2020, as governments expand investment in renewables as alternatives to gas or oil fired generating stations.

Among Middle East and North Africa countries planning to supplement electricity supplies with wind, solar or hydro-electric projects are the UAE, Morocco, Egypt, Iran and Turkey.

"Although renewable energy has long been a poor cousin of traditional power sources in the Middle East, an increasing population and industrial base is forcing suppliers to look to alternatives," said Sarah Woodbridge, Exhibitions Director, Power and Energy Division, IIR Exhibitions, organisers of Middle East Electricity 2003 - the region's premier exhibition for the power and electricity industry.

"Examples are the proposal to set up wind farms in Fujairah, the first in the GCC, and the decision of the UAE Ministry of Electricity and Water to establish a department to investigate solar power."

Turkey and Iran are pioneers in renewable energy use in the Middle East. Hydroelectricity accounts for 45% of Turkey's total installed power capacity - 10,000 megawatts out of 23,000 megawatts and for 7% of Iran's - 2,000 megawatts out of 30,000 megawatts. Egypt also generates electricity from hydropower.

Turkey has the most ambitious renewable energy expansion plans in the Middle East, including the 1,200 megawatt Ilisu scheme, part of the US$ 32 billion Southeastern Anatolian Water Project, known as GAP. When completed it will have 22 dams and 19 hydroelectric plants. Wind power will also be used to help meet the country's energy needs with phase one of a 350-megawatt scheme consisting of a 30-megawatt wind farm west of Istanbul and two other projects, near Ismir, with a combined capacity of 90 megawatts.

Meanwhile, Iran's share of hydroelectricity is set to rise to 15% of installed capacity by March 2004 and to 20% by the end of 2009.

In North Africa, Morocco will invest US$ 3.7 billion in energy projects through 2003, a significant portion of which will go to wind projects, including the construction of two wind farms in Tangiers and Tarfaya, at a cost of US$ 200 million. And Egypt is constructing a 30-megawatt solar power plant at Kureimat and a 60-megawatt wind project in the Suez Canal area.

Elsewhere in the Middle East, Jordan is developing a solar hybrid plant. The estimated US $200 million project will use a solar energy system aided by fuel oil to generate electricity. The plant is expected to generate between 100 and 150MW. The kingdom also has plans for three wind power stations, each with a 25-30 MW capacity, to be constructed on a build, own and operate basis.

In Africa, both South Africa and Uganda have substantial hydroelectric projects underway, including the US $520 million, 250-megawatt Bujagali dam complex, on the Nile, due to be operational in 2005.

Among companies hoping to win a share of the Middle East and African renewable energy market is Vestas Danish Wind Technology, which will exhibit in a dedicated renewable energy arena at Middle East Electricity 2003 and conduct a seminar on wind technology.

"Environmental matters and a shortage of electricity is driving interest in wind energy, particularly in Iran and Jordan," said Dan Lund, Sales Manager, Vestas, which recently signed a US $25 million wind turbine component and technology transfer contract with Iran.

"Our long-term strategy is to tap the regional market for renewable energy technology. Middle East Electricity is the ideal platform to promote the economic and environmental benefits of wind technology because it attracts influential decision makers from across the region."

To date, more than 70% of exhibitor space has been contracted at Middle East Electricity 2003, which will be held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, from January 19-21. It will include national pavilions from Germany, the UK, Spain, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Korea and France and country groups from Turkey, Taiwan, Iran and South Africa.

In addition to the renewable energy forum, Middle East Electricity 2003 will also feature the specialist industrial and commercial Lighting Arena and the staging of the 9th Annual Power Generation Summit.

The exhibition and conference are supported by the UAE Ministry of Electricity and Water and the Federal Electricity and Water Authority.