Billions to be invested in power grid, says Al Owais

In an inaugural address before touring the show, which covers four DWTC halls and features 11 national pavilions and over 600 exhibitors from 37 countries, the Minister said the UAE has ambitious plans to develop its existing power stations and to upgrade their productive capacities .

'More than 8,000 Megawatts will be added within 10 years. Our investments will reach many billions of dollars,' Al Owais said, adding that demand for electricity in the UAE topped 9,200 MWs at the end of 2000.

The Minister also said that the study for the country's national grid will be completed by April. 'We hope to put the project out to tender four months later. The cost has been estimated at DHs 650 million.

'After the country has been linked together the UAE grid will become part of the wider GCC power network and then connected to systems in the Levant, Egypt and Turkey,' Al Owais said.

Studies have shown that regional power needs are expected to top 193,000 MWs in 2020, of which 116,000 MWs will be required for the Arabian Gulf area and 58,000 MWs for Saudi Arabia alone.

Many of the world's leading power industry names are among the exhibitors at Middle East Electricty, which for the first time includes representation from Malaysia. The German pavilion, with 36 exhibitors, is the largest at the show, while the French pavilion marks the official return of the country to the event after an absence of six years. Among regional participants 87 are from the UAE.

For the first time the exhibition features a dedicated arena for new and renewable energy, water and technology or WET area. Introduced specifically to cater for increased Middle East demand for renewable energy sources, it will focus on solar and wind power, as well as desalination and water treatment.

Also new is a high-profile environment technology conference, supported by the UK government, which will be addressed by Professor David Bellamy, one of the world's leading ecologists. At the February 5 forum British experts will probe a number of critical regional issues, including pollution, waste management and renewable energy.

In addition, an industry-specific seminar programme will run over the four days of Middle East Electricity. The 14 seminars will examine essential issues including certification for the international market, utility centre performance, counterfeiting and substation testing.

Middle East Electricity 2002, which organisers IIR Exhibitions have announced will become an annual event next year, is already on course for a successful showing.

'Exhibitor numbers are 10 per cent up on the last show, which itself was a record-breaking event,' said Jessica Sutherland, General Manager, IIR Exhibitions and Conferences, Dubai.

'The demand for exhibitor space justifies our decision to make Middle East Electricity an annual event. The pace of development is now so rapid that the show's two year cycle is no longer enough to meet industry needs.'