Saudi Arabia's water desalination capacity is expected to peak at 200,000 cubic meters by 2015 as the Kingdom rushes to meet demand from public consumers and private sector projects and comply with the water requirements of government-led infrastructure development. BMI said in its Saudi Arabia Water Report Q4 2011 that the Kingdom's water sector is poised for a period of significant activity this year as the government implements a major spending program designed to ramp up access to water. The flurry of investment from state-owned water companies should ensure a steady rise in water desalination output in the five years to 2016, and "if the Saline Water Conversion Company (SWCC) orchestrates a planned privatization program during 2012, this should trigger even greater activity in the world's largest desalination market," the report said. In 2012, BMI anticipates a 4 percent increase in desalination output to 1.27 billion cubic meters (m3) and by 2016 output will increase to 1.47 billion m3. The Saudi Ministry of Water and Electricity said that average water consumption per capita is at around 250 liters a day, making the Kingdom one of the world's heaviest water users - next only to the US and Canada in per capita terms. The state-owned National Water Company has already announced that it will fund $66 billion worth of water and wastewater developments through 2020. BMI report also anticipates a sharp increase in water consumption over the next five years, rising from 7.86 billion m3 in 2012 to 11.16 billion m3 in 2016 - a faster rate than the planned growth of desalination capacity. Against this backdrop, the upcoming Saudi Water Tech 2012 - slated from May 7 to 10, 2012 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center - will unveil the latest and best solutions from leading international brands to support the Kingdom's efforts to produce and conserve water for residential and industrial purposes. "Saudi Arabia has emerged as the world's largest water desalination market and is considered a priority area for international water and wastewater technology developers and service providers," said Khaled Daou, Project Manager of Saudi Energy at Riyadh Exhibitions Company. "Saudi Water Tech 2012 will provide an ideal platform for decision makers, developers, project practitioners and experts to come together and help shape the Kingdom's water agenda," he added. The state-owned National Water Company (NWC) said it would commit $66 billion on water and wastewater developments in the 2012- 2020 period. Around $30 billion of this will be capital expenditure, with much of the spending targeted at wastewater projects as water recycling is a major focus. The exhibition profile for the 10th Saudi Water Tech expo will cover irrigation, water reclamation, water storage reservoirs, water purification, desalination plants, water management and distribution networks, water testing equipment, water treatment chemicals, water temperature controls, pumps and filters, water meters, drainage systems, pipes and fittings, effluent water treatment, garden hoses and accessories, swimming pools, and pool filters and lining. Other shows under the Saudi Energy 2012 umbrella are Saudi Elenex 2012: The 15th International Electrical Engineering, Power Generation & Distribution Exhibition; Saudi Luminex 2012: The 12th International Lighting Equipment Show; and Saudi Aircon 2012: The 13th International Exhibition on Air-Conditioning Heating, Ventilation & Refrigeration. The 15th Saudi Energy show is certified by UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and organized by Riyadh Exhibition Company.
