POWER-GEN Middle East and WaterWorld Middle East 2013 officially opens with leading keynote speakers

Other notable keynote speakers included H.E. Eng. Essa Bin Hilal Al-Kuwari, President KAHRAMAA, Mr. Al-Mohannadi, General Manager, Qatar Electricity & Water Company, Mr. Remy Rowhani, Director General, Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry and representing the organisers, PennWell Corporation, Mrs. Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen, International Events Director, PennWell Middle East and Mr. Timm Dower, Group Publisher, Water & Waste Group.

HE Dr Al-Sada said that the PowerGen and WaterWorld exhibition and conference intended to contribute to the power and water industries of the region and the sustainable development of these industries, whilst protecting the environment is the ethos of the Qatar National Vision 2030 under the wise guidance of HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

HE Dr Al-Sada went on to say that water consumption in Qatar has increased by 9% and power consumption increased by 13% during the last year alone. Therefore it is a big challenge to plan ahead and execute infrastructure projects that would meet this demand, whilst safeguarding Qatar's natural resources.

Qatar hopes to introduce the latest smart technologies and develop large-scale renewable energy stations to become a role model for the rest of the region, he added.

Following the speeches, the official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to mark the opening of the exhibition floor was led by H.E. Dr. Al-Sada along with H.E Muhammed Bin Ahmed Bin Towar Al Kuwari, Vice Chairman, Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry and H.E Ali Bin Abdulateef Al Misnad, Honorary Treasurer, Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Prior to the opening, technical tours of Ras Abu Fontas Power & Desalination Plant and Qatar Science & Technology Park provided delegates the chance to experience behind-the-scenes plant operations and visit cutting-edge energy and environment centres.

Highlights of the Ras Abu Fontas technical tour included exchange of ideas about it's gas-fired and desalination facilities whilst Qatar Science & Technology Park tour included presentations and demonstrations by Qatar Shell Research & Technology Centre, ExxonMobil Research Qatar and Total's Research Centre, offering delegates exclusive insights into the extensive research methodologies and state-of-the-art techniques being carried out amongst today's leading players in power industry.

Organised by PennWell corporation, the event is supported by leading partners and sponsors including Platinum Sponsors, Qatar Electricity and Water Company and Ashghal, KAHRAMAA, Silver Sponsor Alstom, Qatar Science & Technology Park, Qatar Airways, Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Qatar Businessmen Association, Turkish Businessmen Association-Qatar, US Qatar Business Council and Qatar University as well as our international and regional media partners.

During the three-day conference and exhibition, 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.

Highlights of the event include POWER-GEN Middle East's Keynote Session to with presentations including an Overview of the Power Industry in the Middle East and SEC Generation Projects Plan 2012-2022 (Growth & Opportunities) followed by Kurdistan Region Iraq Electricity Situation - Feb 2013. WaterWorld Middle East will also feature a spotlight session, Country Spotlights with presentations including Qatar's Inner Doha Re-Sewerage Implementation Strategy (IDRIS), An Overview of Jordan's Water Sector, Spotlights on Wastewater Sector in Iraq and Desalination Developments Across the Middle East.

Other notable sessions that are expected to attract great interest include POWER-GEN Middle East's panel discussion Challenges and Opportunities for Power Project Development and similarly WaterWorld's Panel Debate, Desalination's Changing Landscape- Thermal to RO.

Aside from the conference, the dual exhibition hosts cutting-edge power and water technologies on display by leading regional and international companies. players such as Qatar Electricity & Water Company, Alstom, Romanian National Pavilion, General Electric, METITIO (OVERSEAS) LTD, and Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies.