The seven per cent growth in demand in power for the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), the opportunities and challenges associated with this demand and the region’s changing power generation scenarios will be the focus of a panel discussion at a global conference in Abu Dhabi, UAE next month.

The lead joint panel discussion will take place at the Power-Gen Middle East (PGME) and Waterworld Middle East (WWME) Conference and Exhibition to be held from October 12 to 14 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

The session will be chaired by Bakr Hamzah Khoshaim, member of the board of PiPCO, Saudi Arabia and will feature local industry expert panelists.

The co-hosted exhibitions will also feature numerous panel discussions focused on the regional energy industry including a session dedicated to the latest trends in project financing.  

Nigel Blackaby, event director of PGME, said: “With regional energy project investments likely to grow at a rate of 8.3 per cent annually, adding almost 156 GW to installed capacity between 2015 and 2019, now is the time to ensure that these investments are aligned to best support the growth potential of the GCC countries.

“All delegates of PGME and WWME will have unparalleled access to industry expects and white papers from thought leader Frost & Sullivan that elaborate on the power generation scenario in the MENA region and why change is necessary.  We believe PGME and WWME will deliver on providing decision makers the information they need to make smart choices that will ensure the stability and sustainability of the region’s power and water industries.”

A high-level delegation from the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation and several major Russian companies headed by Yuri Sentyurin, State-secretary – Deputy Minister of Energy of Russia will host the two-part ‘Russia Day’ forum that is part of the Russian government’s commitment to providing global energy security, developing international energy cooperation and ensuring sustainable economic development of the Mena region.

This two-day conference is expected to attract additional delegates from around the globe interested in learning more about Russia’s 2030 Energy Strategy and investment opportunities in the energy sector.

Alexander Novak, Minister of Energy of Russia, said: “Russia Day, part of the conference programme of Power-GEN Middle East 2014, will focus on highlighting vectors of further development within Russia’s energy sector and prospects for Russia-Arab investment cooperation.

“I am sure high level discussion during the conference will boost the development of energy market cooperation, exchange of experience and discussion around issues associated with the global energy agenda.”

The Russia Day will include a plenary session focused on the stable development of global energy, a roundtable discussion entitled, “Development of energy of the future: renewable energy sources and technologies for energy efficient improvement” and a two-part panel discussion that will cover energy generation, transport and distribution and the development of Russian-Emirate Public-Private Partnerships in the energy sector and water supply. - TradeArabia News Service