(MENAFN - Arab News) Extensive industrial development across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is expected to drive up electricity demand to an estimated 67,000 megawatts by 2020. Six major economic cities currently being built across the Kingdom at a cost of more than 60 billion already require massive energy resources. At the current pace of demand, Saudi Arabia's total productive capacity is projected to surpass 120 gigawatts in 2030; demand is already rising at around 8 percent a year.
An initial investment of over 100 billion will be needed to sufficiently boost Saudi Arabia's electricity power generating capacity and transmission grid, as well as to build renewable energy plants and nuclear power facilities. The Kingdom is thus emerging as a key market for energy-related technologies, products and services.
The upcoming 15th edition of Saudi Energy - The International Trade Exhibition for Electricity, Power Generation, Alternative Energy, Water Technology, Lighting and HVAC for Saudi Arabia - seeks to create a bridge between the Kingdom's energy stakeholders and the world's leading energy companies. Running from May 7 to 10, 2012 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, Saudi Energy 2012 will address the energy needs of the KSA's burgeoning construction and development sectors, including large industrial and commercial projects, infrastructure works, buildings and residences.
"An exponential growth of capacity and auxiliary services is needed to support the energy needs of the multi-billion-dollar projects materializing across the Kingdom. Saudi Energy provides a comprehensive platform for stakeholders to find out the latest and best products and services available in the global markets and for exhibitors to show how their particular offerings can be strategically important to Saudi Arabia's energy domain," said Khaled Daou, project manager of Saudi Energy at Riyadh Exhibitions Company.
Saudi Energy is one of the largest and most specialized energy exhibitions in the Middle East, encompassing all areas relevant to the energy sector. This year's edition has allocated a special section for alternative energy technologies and applications. The multi-sector event will be held under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Water and Electricity and is certified by UFI - The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, in recognition of its superior organization according to international standards.
Saudi Energy 2012 comprises SAUDI ELENEX 2012, the 15th International Electrical Engineering, Power Generation & Distribution Exhibition, SAUDI LUMINEX 2012, the 12th International Lighting Equipment Show, SAUDI AIRCON 2012, the 13th International Exhibition on Air-Conditioning, Heating, Ventilation & Refrigeration and SAUDI WATER TECH, the 9th International Exhibition for Water Technology.
