RIYADH – Energy consumption in Saudi Arabia is witnessing an unprecedented growth, prompting a wave of investments expected to reach SR502.5 billion in various power generation and water projects in the next decade. Being the third largest water consuming country in the world with an average consumption reaching 280 liters per day per capita, Saudi Arabia has earmarked up to SR202.5 billion in various water projects to be completed by 2022, while energy projects are expected to cost SR300 billion, including SR13.875 billion in lighting projects recently awarded by the Saudi Ministry of Water and Electricity. Against this backdrop, “Saudi Energy 2013” – the 16th International Trade Exhibition for Electricity Power Generation, Alternative Energy, Water Technology, Lighting & HVAC – will be providing a comprehensive technology showcase covering all energy sectors from electricity generation and distribution to alternative and renewable energy technologies, modern lighting products and technologies, water and water resources management technologies, and HVAC. The event will run on May 26-29, 2013 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Offering the largest and most specialized energy exhibition targeting the Saudi market, the gathering complements the unprecedented growth of KSA's energy sector. Saudi Energy has likewise increased in size as well as in number of exhibitors and expected visitors, establishing the trade event as the destination of choice for all stakeholders in the energy sector including government officials, investors and buyers. Khaled Daou, Project Manager of Saudi Energy at Riyadh Exhibitions Company, said: “The sharp increase in energy consumption in Saudi Arabia has been driven mainly by rapid social and economic developments. As energy requirements hit new record highs each year, we are also seeing an increasing number of local and international suppliers, manufacturers and contractors offering a wide array of innovative products, services and technologies that complement the Saudi government's efforts to address the Kingdom's spiraling energy generation needs. Saudi Energy has accordingly increased in size as well as in number of exhibitors and visitors each year as it provides the only dedicated platform that gathers all stakeholders of the energy sector to showcase the latest technological advances in the energy sphere. We are witnessing the same trend this year as a greater number of exhibitors have confirmed their participation, looking forward to take advantage of the lucrative opportunities within the burgeoning Saudi market.” The exhibition will be attended by exhibitors from Austria, Bahrain, China, Germany, India, Canada, Czech Republic, Egypt and France, Italy, Korea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the UAE. There will also be country and national pavilions from China, Korea, Romania, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Four of Saudi Arabia's top energy-related shows will be constituting Saudi Energy 2013: Saudi Elenex 2013 – the 16th International Electrical Engineering, Power Generation & Distribution Exhibition; Saudi Luminex 2013 – The 13th International Lighting Equipment Show; Saudi Aircon 2013 – The 14th International Exhibition on Air-Conditioning Heating, Ventilation & Refrigeration; and Saudi Water Tech – The 10th International Exhibition for Water Technology. Saudi Energy is certified by the UFI – the global association of the exhibition industry – in recognition of its world-class activities prepared and managed under international standards. When evaluating the treatment of water, regardless of the source, a number of treatment options need to be looked at in order to select and optimize the technology to be used. Typically, evaluations are based on factors such as product quality, energy consumption and capital expenditure, among others. Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology scores high in comparison with other desalination technologies, in particular thermal distillation processes such as Multi Stage Flash distillation when the true cost of energy is taken into account. – SG
