Gulf Construction Online - $50bn grid spend seen for renewable energy

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Mohammed ... boom time for T&D equipment industry.

$50bn grid spend seen for renewable energy

01 March 2022

The GCC could require nearly $50 billion of grid-related investments to support proposed capacity additions from renewables, according to a whitepaper prepared by Frost & Sullivan for Middle East Energy 2022.

The Mena region’s most reputable event for the energy sector, Middle East Energy (formerly Middle East Electricity) will run from March 7 to 9 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Being held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, the event will see over 18,000 attendees, 500 exhibitors and 250 delegates, said the organiser Informa.

The whitepaper titled ‘Clean Energy – Going Beyond the Grid’, revealed that for the GCC to diversify its power mix, investment in large-scale renewables capacity additions is required and would need corresponding increased investment in transmission and distribution (T&D) networks to eliminate inadequacies.

The event, which is being hosted by the UAE Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, will see experts discuss a range of in-depth sessions as part of the Global Energy & Utilities Forum. Topics including Grids of the Future, will address pressing industry issues, such as digital technologies for stabilising grids during the energy transition; the role of machine learning and AI in future grids; and the rise of the ‘prosumer’, someone who both produces and consumes energy, and their impact on grid development.

Azzan Mohammed, Exhibition Director, Global Energy & Utilities Forum and Middle East Energy, said: “At the very centre of harnessing renewable energy and making it available for consumers is effective transmission and distribution networks, which is why the sector continues to play a prominent role at the Middle East Energy exhibition and during dedicated conference sessions.

“With the value of the transmission and distribution equipment industry continuing to grow exponentially, a range of market leaders have already confirmed their attendance at Middle East Energy and will be showcasing the latest technologies and innovations supporting the delivery of renewable energy to end-users and, ultimately, delivering on the region’s net-zero commitments.”

During the event, exhibitors, including Ducab, Lucy Electric, Rittal, Emirates Transformers, Eaton, Riyadh Cables, Tesar and Bahra will provide insights into the latest breakthrough technologies, upgraded services, and solutions driving higher efficiency and flexibility within the sector.

Top-level speakers confirmed to discuss the growing role of transmission and distribution in the Mena region include Gary Lawerence, Segment President – Power Grid, Schneider Electric; Mark Ossel, Member of the Board, OSGP Alliance; Rui de Sousa, Principal – Industry & Value Advisory, Energy & Natural Resources Mena Region, SAP; Shaikh Sahid Hossain, Senior Vice President and Global Director, ETAP; and Yousuf Al Mahrooqi, Chief Distribution Officer (Acting), Muscat Electricity Distribution Company. This year’s event sponsors include Perkins, Baudouin, Newage Stamford AVK, and Rieloo UPS.

Supporting the demand for new information surrounding T&D is the event’s technical sessions. Visitors will have the opportunity to hear from experts regarding technologies in energy storage for the grid, and clean technologies in the microgrid, among others, said the organisers.

T&D is just one of five focused product areas of Middle East Energy. The others cover energy-critical sectors, including Smart Solutions; Renewable & Clean Energies; Critical & Back-up Power; and Energy Consumption & Management.

As part of Informa’s commitment to providing the highest hygiene and safety levels, the event will again take place under the protocols introduced via the company’s Informa AllSecure health and safety mandate.