20 January 2006 - Iraq's Ministry of Electricity has confirmed its intention to send a representative to the POWER-GEN Middle East conference, which takes place in Abu Dhabi 30 January -1 February 2006.

They will participate in a special conference session devoted to the reconstruction of Iraq's power infrastructure.

Commenting on the event, the Deputy Electricity Minister Raad Al -Haris said, "POWER-GEN Middle East is an important forum for informing the industry of the condition of our network and our immediate and future needs." Al-Haris revealed that the ministry's priority was to start building new thermal power plants in 2006 with capacity of 4000 MW to meet customers' needs. "Companies attending this networking event will have a chance to see just how they can help Iraq in the reconstruction work," said Al-Haris.

The Iraq Power session, scheduled for Wednesday 1 February, will also feature speakers from Iraqi and international contracting firms actively involved in the work of reconstruction as well the Project & Contracting Office (PCO).

Other recently confirmed speakers taking part in the twin-tracked POWER-GEN Middle East conference include Dr Saleh Al Alawi, the newly appointed chairman of the Authority of Electricity Regulation in Oman and the Board Member of the GCC Grid Interconnection Authority Dr Saud Al-Humaidan.

Also featured will be Omar Alghamdi, President of the Water & Electricity Company, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Gerhard Gleissner, Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Company.

Expert estimations for the next decade indicate that the AGCC investments in the field of power generation could reach US $ 50 billion by 2020.

Ahmed Humaid Al Mazrouie Managing Director of Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) said, "The hosting of this exhibition and conference reflects the high status acquired by Abu Dhabi emirate among the international exhibitions industry".

He reiterated that, "The high level of exhibition space booked is clear evidence of the success of the plans designed to achieve excellence in the organizing of specialized exhibitions to meet the needs of the UAE and the region in obtaining state-of-the-art technologies for the increasing number of power generation and desalination projects".

Al Mazrouie went on to say "POWER-GEN Middle East 2006 will be the biggest event of its kind held in the region, with over 100 exhibitors already confirming participation. We are expecting the event to have over 200 international and regional companies from the power generation, transmission, distribution and desalination sectors ".

A buoyant economy and skyrocketing demand for electricity throughout the United Arab Emirates and elsewhere in the Middle East have set the stage for unprecedented growth in the construction of generation and distribution facilities in the region.

"This exhibition and conference is a way for electricity generation, transmission, and distribution professionals to meet the market," said Nick Ornstien, Group Publisher and General Manager of PennWell Corporation's UK-based Global Energy Group, who along with their partner ADNEC, are producing POWER-GEN Middle East 2006.

With the need to almost double current electricity production by 2010 and a current target to add 6,000 MW of installed capacity, from the present level of 12,811 MW, electricity and water authorities throughout the UAE are undertaking sizable projects, many of which will involve private investment.

Strong demand growth coupled with significant structural changes within the electricity sector ensure the UAE will remain a key market in the Middle East for years to come. Further a field, the entire Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region will require more than 74 GW of additional capacity by 2010.

POWER-GEN Middle East exhibition and conference is now in its 4th year. If past success and current interest are any indication, next year's event will offer even more opportunities for international equipment and service vendors to identify profitable opportunities in the marketplace and meet decision-makers.

A host of large-scale projects are already underway or currently coming up for bid in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran and elsewhere in the region.

Major industry players like Black and Veach, GE Energy and Hitachi amongst other world-renowned equipment suppliers will be exhibiting alongside Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA), at POWER-GEN Middle East.

With many of the regional power and water suppliers, engineering companies, government and finance authorities also present, many opportunities will be available to conduct business at the event.