Power Engineering - POWER-GEN Middle East 2003 inaugurates its second session

Abu Dhabi, 14 Oct. 2003 -- The second edition of POWER-GEN Middle East Exhibition and Conference 2003, got off to a powerful start Monday when H.H.Sheikh Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Economic Department formally inaugurated the show Monday.

Over 140 companies from 20 countries, local and international are participating in the exhibition, which is being organised by the General Exhibitions Corporation (GEC) and PennWell Corporation, USA with the sponsorship of the Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA).

After the formal opening, Sheikh Hamed, accompanied by dignitaries, senior officials and VIPs went around the exhibition venue, evincing interest in the products and exchanging views with exhibitors.

The exhibition runs from 13 to 15 October 2003, is being held under the Patronage of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

"This is a major event not only for the UAE but for the whole region and beyond. The success of the privatisation of the power and water sector in Abu Dhabi must be emulated by all other Arab countries in this region," said Sheikh Hamed.

Earlier, H.E. Saeed Bin Jaber Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Federation of the UAE Chambers of Commerce & Industry, in his inaugural address, said POWER-GEN Middle East 2003 is a continuation of the great success achieved by POWER-GEN Middle East's first session held in 2002, because of its focus on a very important and vital sector, namely the power and water industry.

He said new and large projects in the region have materialised after the war in Iraq ended, leading to more stability and enhancing opportunities to establish and develop the power infrastructure in the Middle East countries.

There is increasing demand for water and power in the region and the UAE alone needs additional electrical power of 8,000 MW, said Al Suwaidi.

Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, Director of Privatisation, ADWEA in his address highlighted the importance of the event and stressed that ADWEA has been in the forefront of privatisation in the power and water sector. "Private investment is increasing here to deal with the challenges and demand for power and water," said Al Nuaimi.
Nick Ornstien, General Manager, PennWell Corporation reiterated the importance of the show, stating that the Power Gen 2003 has grown by 25 per cent this year, compared to last year and is the third largest power generation event held in the world.

Among the exhibitors are Bechtel Ltd, Ansaldo Enegia, Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co Ltd, Siemens AG, Dubai Water & Electricity Authority (DEWA) and the Water & Electricity Federation of the UAE.

An important highlight of the show is the parallel conference being held, with the focus being on restoration of power in Iraq through the building of its infrastructure there. Officials involved in the rebuilding of Iraq's power sector spoke at the conference.

Several companies are eyeing contracts in the power and water sector of the UAE and the region and many are planning to set up offices to cater to this growing market.
Lucy Switchgear, a leading U.K-based manufacturer of electrical switchgear plans to open an office in Abu Dhabi to support the UAE's growing power sector, the company announced on the opening day of POWER-GEN Middle East 2003.

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