POWER HIGH on the agenda

Mega energy projects note increasing uptake of rooftop solutions, with 10-fold demand surge in the UAE alone

Middle East Electricity (MEE), the region’s leading annual international trade event for the power industry, is undergoing major expansion in 2018 to service the shifting demand dynamics of the regional sector.

“Middle East Electricity is evolving in line with the regional industry, which is now one of the world’s most vibrant,” said Anita Mathews, Group Director – Industrial Portfolio at Informa Exhibitions.

“With governments looking to meet spiraling demand — between 7 to 8 per cent a year — caused by population growth and industrialisation, change is the name of the game across the entire Middle East and Africa power gambit. There is also a tremendous appetite to embrace technologies and renewables to combat climate change, deliver smart cities and make local eco-systems more resilient.”

Solar will join MEE fold as a dedicated sector after six years as a co-located event.

“Solar is now undoubtedly one of the fastest-growing sectors in the region with the Middle East Solar Industry Association putting the number of solar projects under execution throughout MENA at 3,610 with another 1,300 under tender,” said Mathews.

“Mega projects are being jumpstarted across both North Africa and the GCC, while there is increasing acceptance and uptake of rooftop solutions, which have witnessed a 10-fold demand surge in the UAE in the last 12 months alone. This advancing sector, now benefitting from regionwide clean energy policies, holds out enormous opportunities for developers, EPC contactors, equipment suppliers and financiers.”

The 2018 edition will host more than 1,615 companies from 66 countries, supported by 24 dedicated country pavilions.

“With regional governments increasingly focused on economic diversification, demand is unlikely to slow for some considerable time. This has more keenly focused the global industry’s attention on the region and the show will reflect this with an international exhibitor base looking to engage with local players,” concluded Mathews.

Alongside MEE 2018, Informa will also debut the Global Smart Energy Summit, a high-level summit featuring some of the biggest corporate champions in sector transformation, including Tesla, US National Renewable Energy Laboratory, US Department of Energy and NASA. The Summit sessions will lay out the future of the international sector and is expected to attract over 700 attendees exploring reform patterns across the entire power spectrum.

The summit will be essential for all looking to play a role in an industry which is destined to change and effect change in the very near future.