12 May 2005 - After hitting a trough in 2003, the $2.3bn European steam and gas market will grow steadily and will reach nearly $16.9bn in 2011, according to the global growth consultancy, Frost and Sullivan.

The main drivers behind the predicted growth will be escalating demand for electricity particularly from central and eastern Europe (CEE), the decommissioning of both old conventional thermal power plants as well as nuclear power facilities, and the need to achieve greater efficiency and competitiveness.

While the rising need for electricity in Western Europe, especially in the Netherlands, France and Italy, is set to underpin growth in the short term, the CEE region is expected to be the growth engine in the medium to long term.

Frost and Sullivan research suggests that the deteriorating energy infrastructure in CEE countries will provide significant opportunities for plants repowering. This will be fuelled further as these countries strive to meet the European Union's emissions standards.