Middle East Electricity 2002 to feature over 600 exhibitors

For the past 30 years the show has been held biennially but organiser IIR Exhibitions says the rapid pace of energy sector development has increased industry demand for a yearly forum where new technology can be put into targeted regional focus.

"This is an industry-driven initiative and follows a poll of this year's exhibitors who responded with solid support," said Sarah Woodbridge, Exhibitions Director, Power & Energy Division, IIR Exhibitions, which organises Middle East Electricity.

"We are confident that show growth can be sustained annually as the industry moves towards new trends in alternative energy and conservation and regional utility suppliers and specifiers continue to explore ways of cost-effectively meeting rising regionwide energy demand."

IIR Exhibitions announced the news as it prepares for the 2002 edition of Middle East Electricity, which begins a four-day run at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from February 3.

The show is to be opened by His Excellency Humaid Bin Nasr Al Owais, UAE Minister of Electricity and Water, whose Ministry officially supports the show along with the Federal Electricity & Water Authority.

Over 600 companies from 37 countries will participate in next week's show, which will span four DWTC halls and, for the first time, will feature representation from Malaysia.

The exhibition will have 11 national pavilions, of which Germany will be the largest. The French pavilion marks the official return of the country to the show after an absence of around six years.

Also new to the show is a dedicated water and environmental technology (WET) arena introduced specifically to cater to heightened regional demand for renewable energy sources. Technologies in focus will include solar, wind and hydro-electric power as well as desalination and water treatment.

"Well over a hundred exhibitors are international suppliers of alternative energy and conservation technology," explained Woodbridge. "They are looking to enter the Middle East market where rising power demand, said by analysts to be running regionally at around 12% a year, is driving demand for eco-friendly solutions.

"Analysts estimate the Gulf currently produces over 40% of the world's desalinated water," said Woodbridge.

"The technique has been widely used throughout the region and is a prime contender for future projects aimed at addressing a forecasted 16 billion cubic metres annual water shortfall in the GCC alone."

An industry-specific conference and seminar programme will run over the four days of Middle East Electricity with 14 international speakers from throughout Europe probing essential sector issues including certification, utility centre performance, counterfeiting and substation testing.

The show will also feature a high-profile environment technology conference, with Professor David Bellamy, one of the world's leading ecologists due to address delegates. The conference, to be held on February 5, is supported by the UK-government and will see British experts probe a number of critical regional issues, including pollution, waste management and renewable energy.

Speakers include representatives of British Water, the British Oil Spill Control Association, the Environmental Services Association, the UK's waste management industry's trade body, ETSU, a centre of excellence in energy efficiency and sustainable energy technologies and BP Solar.

The exhibitor profile boasts many of the world's leading energy giants, including, Tyco Electronics of the USA, with its brands Raychem, Amp and Simel, from France, Schneider Electric, Alstom and Electricite de France, Siemens of Germany, Hawker Siddeley Power Transformers of the UK, Larsen & Toubro of India and Kema from The Netherlands.

"Additionally there is a host of exhibitors representing the international Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) sector, many of which are making their Middle East debut and offer great new trading opportunities," said Woodbridge.

The show will also have a large regional presence including, the UAE's ABB Middle East and Africa, Emirates Transformers and Switchgear, Al Hathboor Electric, 3M Gulf, Electromec and Al Bawardi, Saudi Arabia's Al Babtain Industries, one of the Kingdom's largest manufacturers of electro mechanical products, and Wescosa, Oman's Jyoti Sohar Switchgear, Al Hamas Group and Oman Cables Industry and Kuwait's Al Ahleia Switchgear Company.

"Literally hundreds of new products will have their official launch at Middle East Electricity 2002 which is clearly an industry window to new technology," said Woodbridge.

Launches include new switchgears and circuit breakers from Larsen & Toubro and a high-voltage FCMA soft starter designed by award-winning Indian engineer Prafulla Deo.