(MENAFN - Arab News) Deputy Minister of Electricity, Dr. Saleh Al-Awaji, inaugurated the Saudi Energy 2012 - The 15th International Show for Electricity, Lighting, Power Generation, Water Technology, and HVAC for Saudi Arabia at the Riyadh Exhibition Center yesterday.
A host of 250 exhibitors from 13 countries showcase the latest equipment, services and best practices in the energy field at the event, which is being held under the patronage of Water and Electricity Minister Abdullah Al-Hussayen.
The participating countries include China, India, Turkey, UAE, Korea, Belgium, Lebanon, Bahrain, Qatar, Italy, Spain, Taiwan and Saudi Arabia, across 6 national pavilions.
Saudi Energy fair is one of the largest and most specialized energy exhibitions in the region,embracing all areas relating to energy sector. The show addresses all energy needs of the construction and development sectors, including large industrial and commercial projects, various infrastructure projects, buildings and housing.
The exhibition has devoted a special section for alternative energy technologies and applications this year to offer a unique opportunity for companies specialized in this domain to showcase their products and technologies.
Saudi Energy is certified by the UFI - The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry - in recognition of its superior organization according to international standards.
The event, which runs until May 10 ,has reintroduced four of Saudi Arabia's top energy-related shows: SAUDI ELENEX 2012: The 15th International Electrical Engineering, Power Generation and 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.
"Energy companies from all parts of the globe understand the strategic importance of Saudi Energy as a unique platform that opens direct access to niche markets across the Kingdom," Khaled Daou, project Manager of Saudi Energy at the Riyadh Exhibitions Company said. Moreover, he added that Saudi Energy will boost the collaboration between the government and the private sector on strategies to address the growing local demand for energy.
The Saudi market is one of the most promising markets for air conditioning products as a result of the country's hot climate and high individual purchasing power. Annual growth in this sector is estimated between 30 and 50 percent during the next three years, bringing the size of the market by 2014 to US 1.2 billion from its current size of approximately 720 million.
The Kingdom plans to build 6 independent power plants to increase production capacity. The plans include a thermal plant at the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea, with a capacity of 850 MW and a cost of US 1.5 billion.
To meet the Kingdom's growing demand, the government has announced plans for a value of nearly 25 billion to increase its water absorption capacity. Growing demand is accompanied by significant growth in the water desalination industry by 6 percent annually, the highest in the world.
The Saline Water Conversion Corporation recently announced a huge project to build the largest desalination plant in the world in the region of Yanbu on the Red Sea, a plant capable of producing 15 million gallons of water a day.
While some experts suggest that the demand for electricity in the region will increase by 25 percent during the next five years, demand in Saudi Arabia continues to rise by an almost steady 8 percent annually. However, massive industrial development in the Kingdom is expected to bring the electricity demand in 2020 to 67,000 MW. The Kingdom's total productive capacity is expected to grow more than 120 gigawatts in 2030.
