More focus and more power – the region’s key energy sector decision makers gather for Middle East Electricity 2007

As the evolving energy needs of the Middle East continue to demand the very latest innovations in services, products and technologies, so the event has expanded its areas of focus to fully address the pressing issues facing governments throughout the Middle East and beyond.

“Our objective with the Middle East Electricity Exhibition has always been to provide a total energy platform that matches the specific requirements of the Middle East’s industry professionals with the business objectives of the hundreds of regional and international exhibitors that participate in the event every year,” said Sarah Woodbridge, Group Director Exhibitions, IIR Middle East - organisers of the event. “The relevance and specialised focus of the show is the main reason why it has proven to be so successful over the past three decades, and in conjunction with our government and industry colleagues the show will continue to develop in line with the needs of the region.”

This year, there is a 20% increase in net floor space, and with over 850 local and international exhibitors participating, Middle East Electricity 2007 is set to once again demonstrate why visitors and exhibitors rate it as the top show of its kind in the world, reinforcing its position as the power behind the Middle East energy industry.
Building on the huge success of the 2006 show, which featured 70 German exhibitors in a national pavilion covering 1,349 square metres, Middle East Electricity 2007 will host the largest ever German participation at any energy event anywhere in the world plus the largest Italian Pavilion ever seen at Middle East Electricity, while the French pavilion will include 20 leading French companies that between them cover the entire spectrum of the energy industry. There will also be major participation from the UK and Austria.
“Exhibitors from 53 countries will travel to Dubai to show their products and services at Middle East Electricity 2007, and with pre-registration figures already 40% up on last year, visitor figures are set to be the highest ever in the history of the event,” added Woodbridge. “The exhibitor list includes some of the most innovative companies from the industry, such as Siemens, Ducab, Cooper Lighting, Honeywell, Cummins Middle East, Danway, Prysmian, Al-Babtain Power & Telecommunication, KEMA, Lucy Switchgear, Perkins, Erico Areva, Honeywell, Rolls Royce, Tyco and Actaris.”

The market potential of the Middle East continues to grow at an astonishing rate. The demand for energy related products has never been higher, best illustrated by the fact that one regional exhibitor, UAE-based Ducab, the leading manufacturer of high-quality power cables in the Middle East, recently announced a major expansion that will increase its production capacity by around 50% - the first equipment will be installed in 2007 with completion by the end of 2008. With total investment in the region of US$179 million, the expansion will focus on the manufacture of power cables, building wires and cables of specialist designs at Ducab’s Dubai and Abu Dhabi factory sites, both of which will be reorganised to create dedicated state of the art production facilities for particular ranges of cable.

This year, alongside expanded dedicated focus areas for the power generation, gas and new & renewable energy sectors, Lighting at Middle East Electricity presents the region’s largest ever showcase of local and international lighting expertise, covering over 4,500 square metres and featuring more than 300 lighting related companies.

“As the longest-running exhibition of its kind in the region, Lighting at Middle East Electricity is rated as the essential, comprehensive showcase for the industrial, commercial and residential lighting sectors,” said Woodbridge. “Key supporters include The Lighting Association, The Society of Light and Lighting, The Lighting Council of Australia, IALD and dpa Lighting Consultants.”

Also making its debut this year, Water at Middle East Electricity has been designed specifically for companies from the water, desalination and waste water industries to exhibit their products, services, solutions and project references to the region’s key decision makers.

“The rapid increase in demand for water in the Arabian Gulf countries where conventional water resources such as fresh surface water and renewable groundwater are extremely limited, has seen the adoption of alternatives such as wastewater reclamation and desalination since the 1960s,” said Woodbridge. “The scale of the demand is clearly illustrated by the fact that he UAE consumes more water per capita than any other country in the world with the exception of the United States and Canada, so the level of interest in water related products and services is extremely high - over 11,000 visitors to Middle East Electricity in 2006 were specifically looking for companies involved in water and water related industries.”

A series of free to attend energy related seminars, all presented by companies that are leaders in their respective fields, are running throughout the show, ensuring that visitors can maximise the benefit gained from the educational and networking opportunities that are on offer.

Supported by the Federal Electricity and Water Authority, The UAE Ministry of Energy, Middle East Electricity 2007 runs from 11-14 February at Dubai International Exhibition Centre.