JEDDAH — The Saudi Water & Power Forum (SWPF) 2012 will be inaugurated today (Sunday) at the Hilton Hotel Jeddah by Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) Governor Dr Abdulrahman Al-Ibrahim. He will be joined by Dr Khalid Al-Sulaiman, Vice President for Renewable Energy, KA-CARE, in the opening session, and make presentation on “Desalination & Renewable Energy: A Sustainable Solution.” The Saudi government's ambitious plans to upgrade, expand and transform the power and water sector are underway and exciting opportunities abound for those supplying products, services and expertise to the industry. SWPF, the premier power and water meeting in the Kingdom, plays a critical role in connecting stakeholders and in helping to set the agenda for sustainable growth. The will highlight the Saudi government's reforms and programs in these infrastructural sectors as well as covering topics: water reuse; renewable energy; efficiency opportunities; tariff reform; water and power cogeneration; policy updates; technology and innovation; talent management; and membrane technology. “SWPF will take a fresh look at the opportunities for participation and will focus on how we can work together to meet growing demand for more efficient use and sustainable water and power,” Abdullah Al Hussayen, Minister of Water & Electricity, said. Today, Saudi Arabia is considered an interest point to key investors especially in the water and power sector with net investments that exceed SR100 billion. The Saudi government's ambitious plans to upgrade, expand and transform the power and water sector are underway and exciting opportunities abound for those supplying products, services and expertise to the industry. SWPF is the largest gathering of water and power industry in Saudi Arabia. It brings together local and international bodies to acquire knowledge, contacts and partnerships required for business development in one of the largest markets for power and water in the world. The two-day forum that will end on Dec. 4 will be participated in by other distinguished key speakers, including Prince Khalid Bin Faisal Bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Makkah Region; Abdullah Al-Hussayen, Minister of Water & Electricity; Christopher Gasson, Publisher, Global Water Intelligence; Dr Naïf Al-Abbadi, Director General, Saudi Energy Efficiency Center (SEEC); Dr Abdullah Abdulaziz Al-Al Shaikh, Deputy Governor for Planning & Development, SWCC; Thamer Al-Sharhan, President & CEO, Marafiq; Eng Fahad Al-Hussain, CEO, Taqnia; Paddy Padmanathan, President & CEO, ACWA Power; Olivier Brousse, CEO, Saur; Yasser Joharji, Managing Director, Unilever KSA. Industry expert Dr Willy Kotiuga, Senior Director, Hydro Division, SNC-Lavalin, will present Pre-feasibility Study of a 1000 MW Seawater Pumped Storage Plant in Saudi Arabia, which has been co-authored by Dr Saleh Al-Awaji, Deputy Minister for Water, Ministry of Water & Electricity; Dr Luai Muhammad Al-Hadhrami, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Saudi Arabia; Mohammed Arif, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia; Khaled Y Al-Soufi, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia. The highly prestigious SWPF is celebrating 8 years of excellence and is recognized in the industry for being exceptional for its support and endorsement from key government bodies, leading industry figures and companies. The event enjoys support from Moya Busnak, who in partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Water & Electricity and the CWC Group develop this industry specific event. The Forum provides unrivalled opportunities to network with the most influential people in the industry and unique insights into solutions and possibilities for doing business. — SG
