HOT SUN IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Better late than never...

Massive growth in the Middle East's new and renewable energy sector anticipated
December 13, 2006 (AME Info)
- Drastic increases in oil prices and increased awareness of the limited availability of traditional fossil fuels is giving the new and renewable energy sector enormous momentum, with many of the world leaders in the field of photovoltaics (solar power), wind power and other environmentally friendly energy schemes accelerating product innovations that are being embraced across the region…

- The landmark Bahrain World Trade Centre towers will be the first of their kind in the world to use wind energy. Wind power will be harnessed by the building's three massive turbines, which are supported by bridges between the two towers, and will provide around 11-15% of the electricity needs…
- US$1.3 billion Bahrain Financial Harbour development will be fed by the innovative North Shore District Cooling Network…It will provide about 30,000 Tons of Refrigeration (TR)…District cooling is gaining popularity because it…will reduce peak power demand in Bahrain by over 400 MW by 2020…
- District cooling…can use seawater to directly cool the chillers, or incorporate water treatment plants for producing cooling tower make-up water. Alternatively, irrigation water or other non-potable water can be used. The end result is a win for the environment as well as for district cooling customers…

- The Government of Dubai recently announced its adoption of a 'Sustainable Development Policy', a unique new initiative that applies world-class social and environmental standards to the organisation's activities. A new Renewable Energy Division will be responsible for 'green' buildings, energy and water conservation and management, value-added real estate and 'green' power generation, and intends to set an example for other Dubai-based organisations in developing sustainable development practices. It is creating an in-house team of experts in 'Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design' (LEED®), the world's premier certification programme for sustainable buildings.

- The International Energy Group (IEG), the region's first international strategic alliance to promote clean and renewable energy, also recently announced a new initiative to support the ongoing efforts to rebuild Lebanon by providing sustainable infrastructure know-how. Lebanon imports around 97% of its energy needs, which has adverse economic and environmental effects. This initiative is designed to help create easy access to know-how, world-class expertise and project development in the utilisation of advanced energy technologies and sustainable design principles…
- property investors in Jordan and the UAE have expressed their satisfaction concerning the implementation of energy-efficient solutions in buildings and various premises which drastically reduce energy costs…at a time when they were witnessing an escalation of energy costs…
- Jordon's energy demands during the next decade is expected to be about 2,399 MW, costing in the region of $USD 3.1 billion. These figures underline the importance of increasing public-private partnerships to formulate a national strategy to reduce energy consumption…the implementation of energy efficient systems is capable of saving energy even in existing buildings…

- Countries throughout the region are actively looking to implement energy efficient systems…in the field of renewable energy resources, the implementation of energy saving systems in street lighting, water pumping stations and for electricity generation.
- 'Typical of the huge growth in the new and renewable energy sector is photovoltaics…the Middle East, with a virtually unlimited source of sunlight, is ideally placed to take full advantage of solar power.' …