USD5 million deal for gas turbine generators announced at Middle East Electricity

Under the deal, announced at Middle East Electricity 2002, the region's premier exhibition and conference for the energy sector underway at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the French company will supply two Tempest 7.70 Megawatts generators to power water injection pumps at the Safah East Lobe water flood project.

The order, placed by Occidental of Oman Inc. Muscat, also includes the lease of a twin-trailer mobile generator, incorporating a pre-owned gas turbine, to be refurbished by Alstom in Britain.

"This is a significant order for an unusual application as the majority of our gas turbine systems are used in the oil and gas industry," said John Fearnley, Senior Communications Officer, Alstom.

The low nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide emission turbines will be manufactured at Alstom's UK facility for delivery by the end of March.

Meanwhile, the Dubai Cable Company (Ducab) has used Middle East Electricity 2002 to launch a ground-breaking E-initiative for its regional customers.

The web based E-Next service is designed to give market leader Ducab's clients round-the-clock access to information on orders, sales history, payments and inventory status.

"It will enable our customers to more effectively manage their business relationship with us, while at the same time allowing us to deal more efficiently with their needs," said Syed K Ahmed, Marketing Manager, Ducab.

In addition to debuting the E-Next service, Ducab is also using Middle East Electricity 2002 to raise awareness of its Ducab Select computer software, developed by its own engineers to save customers time in working out project cable requirements.

"Market demand will continue to grow but low entry barriers and ambitious infrastructure development plans are attracting an increasing number of international companies to the region, making the cable sector more competitive and forcing companies to innovate and focus on customer service," said Ahmed.

Many of the world's leading power industry names are among more than 600 exhibitors, from 37 countries, taking part in Middle East Electricity 2002, that includes first time participation from Malaysia.

Making its debut at this year's show is a dedicated arena for new and renewable energy and water and technology or WET area, focusing on solar and wind power as well as desalination and water treatment.

Another first is tomorrow's (February 5) environment technology conference that will be addressed by Professor David Bellamy, one of the world's leading ecologists. The high-profile, UK government supported forum will 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 future of energy generation and the environment are inextricably linked and, together, the arena and the conference will be a regional primer on the latest techniques of addressing both successfully," said Sarah Woodbridge, Exhibitions Director, Power and Energy Division, IIR Exhibitions, organisers of Middle East Electricity.