Power-Gen Middle East, WaterWorld Middle East 2012 launch with keynote ceremony

The ceremony was led by H.E. Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry, with further speeches given by H.E. Eng. Essa Bin Hilal Al-Kuwari, President of Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation "Kahramaa", Mr Fahad Hamad Al Mohannadi, General Manager, Qatar Electricity and Water Company (QEWC), Mr Timm Dower, WWME Event Director, PenWell Corporation and Mr Glenn Ensor, Director of Events, PenWell Corporation. Following the speeches, H.E. Dr Al-Sada conducted an official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and opened the exhibition floor.

Organised by PennWell in partnership with Kahramaa and QEWC as Co-Host and Platinum Sponsor, Power-Gen Middle East and WaterWorld Middle East 2012 hosts an impressive line up of more than 120 eminent international chairs and speakers and nearly 140 exhibitors from 23 countries. Regional and international perspectives about topical power and water issues and opportunities for future growth and development will be presented along with new and innovative solutions using pioneering technology to overcome the financial, resource and environmental challenges facing today's power and water industry.

H.E. Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry, in his keynote speech, said, "We are happy to host Power-Gen Middle East and WaterWorld Middle East for the second time. It is a testimony of confidence the organizers have in the State of Qatar as a place of choice for holding such prominent events. This status was not achieved in a day. It is the result of the focused, unwavering dedication to the all-round development of Qatar, achieved through hard work, inspired and supported by the wise vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, The Emir of Qatar."

"We will continue to invest in the coming decade, in power generation and water desalination in addition to expanding transmission and distribution of electricity and water networks. We are humbled by the endowment of natural resources available to us for the development of energy industries, including power generation. This will help us achieve sustainable development while not compromising on the protection of our environment and preserving it for future generations. In the context of the GCC's consumption of water, this aspect is of paramount importance. With no fresh natural water supplies, this region is dependent on the energy-intensive desalination process," he added.

H.E. Eng. Essa Bin Hilal Al-Kuwari, President of Kahramaa, in his keynote speech, said, "In the last five years, Kahramaa has spent more than QR60bn on its capital projects for the upgrade and expansion of existing electricity and water networks. Kahramaa will continue this trend by investing in transmission and distribution infrastructure capital projects in the coming five years."

Mr Fahad Hamad Al Mohannadi, General Manager, QEWC, in his keynote speech, said, "Here in the Middle East, as well as the need for electricity to power our homes, offices, industries and our infrastructures, we also need energy to produce potable water, which means that our water and electricity industries are closely integrated. The organizer PennWell has recognized this by establishing a parallel conference and exhibition for the water industry - WaterWorld Middle East. These two events combine to provide a unique concentration of expertise and technologies across these two strategically important industry sectors."

The Power-Gen Middle East and WaterWorld Middle East 2012 conference and exhibition is located at the Qatar National Convention Centre from 6-8 February. Admission to the exhibition is free to all visitors of the event.