Regional experts and innovators will discuss the advancement in renewable energy solutions and address the need for alternative energy solutions at a major summit to be held in Sharjah this month.

"The Green Middle East 2011" exhibition and conference will be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from October 17 to 19 in conjunction with Bee’ah, a leading integrated environmental and waste management organisation.

A hot topic for discussion at the summit will be the need for legislation surrounding sustainable building design in the Middle East, said the event organisers.

The quest for accessible and cost-effective energy alternatives is being fuelled by Abu Dhabi-based Masdar, which is spearheading research and development into renewable energy and cleantech solutions to mitigate the region’s reliance on traditional oil and gas derivatives, as well as address water consumption issues,. they added.

“Governments, public sector authorities and the private sector are actively demonstrating commitment to the development of new technologies and communities that will serve as a test bed for the future regional rollout of sustainable solutions," observed Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, director-general, Expo Centre Sharjah.

"For example, in addition to the $22 billion Masdar City project, similar carbon neutral initiatives are under development in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan," he said.

The growing number of groundbreaking initiatives includes Dubai’s eight-million-square-foot Enpark development, the Qatar Energy Park, Jordan’s Shams Maan project, and a zero emissions city in Saudi Arabia, Al Midfa added.

According to the UAE Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, UAE citizens are among the highest per capita consumers of water globally.

They use an average of 700 litres per day, versus a world average of 180 to 200 litres, said Al midfa, citing data.

According to the event organiser, ongoing growth in demand for energy by Middle East consumers and industries is currently at 5.5 per cent, against a global average of just 1.2 per cent.

In addition to addressing fundamental environmental issues related to resource efficiency, Green Middle East's line-up of exhibitors and conference speakers will look at site selection, construction materials, indoor environmental quality and waste management.

Neil Hickman, sales and marketing director, Sharjah Expo Centre, said, "With region's top industry innovators and thinkers all coming together under one roof, the expo offers an interactive platform for manufacturers and suppliers of equipment and services to tap into the renewable energy and green building sector in the region, as well as gain invaluable insight into sustainable development and green architecture."

The three-day event will feature representatives from specialised industry sub-sectors such as solar energy, wind power, hydropower, geothermal energy, solid biofuels, liquid biofuels, and other energy-efficient technologies.-TradeArabia News Service