Environment & Energy | Tuesday 20 October, 2015 3:54 pm |

Qatar government’s various initiatives to accelerate and bolster its energy strategy in order to achieve a sustainable energy future has gained global recognition. It is against this backdrop that global conference producers, Expotrade have organized the Power Qatar Summit, incorporating the successful Solar Qatar Summit.  

Held under the patronage of Kahramaa, the two-day summit brings together senior policy makers from the government, sector specialists, scientists, technologists and researchers to collaborate and engage in a discussion on the region’s energy demand and growth and explore opportunities to redefine its future energy model.

Talking about the energy market in the GCC region, Mr. Sharad Somani, Executive Director & ASPAC Head for Power & Utilities, KPMG Corporate Finance, who is also speaking at the summit, said, “GCC is on the cusp of energy revolution. Renewable energy led by solar will not only change the energy mix but also provide the much needed energy diversification and security in a sustainable manner.”

“The attractive financing market coupled with strong regional growth prospects offer the best opportunity for utilities, developers and investors to evolve win-win solutions. The Power Qatar Summit is a great forum that brings the industry leaders to exchange ideas and help structure project partnerships to leverage the opportunities offered.”

Given that, Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA) has planned to complete the nationwide rollout of smart meters and smart grid by 2016, the summit features multiple sessions by regional and international industry leaders on the future and challenges of deploying smart grid technology in Qatar. Mr. Wail Gadour, Sales Consulting Director, Oracle Utilities will share insight on Enabling the Smart Grid through Efficient Utilities Solutions, while Dr. Abdelkader Bousselham, Senior Scientist-Grid Integration, Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, will present a session on The Path towards Smart Grid: Microgrids and Demand Response for Energy Efficiency, Energy Conservation and Renewable Integration. 

Furthermore, Mr. Hashim AL-Zahrani, Head of ICC, GCC Interconnection Authority, during his session will lay emphasis on the first 400-kV super grid commissioned by GCCIA, that links the power network of the six Gulf countries, namely, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia on one unified grid. Titled 400-kV Interconnection Super Grid - Enabling Power Trading and Electrical Exchange across GCC Countries, his session will outline the benefits of sharing energy resources between the GCCIA member states.

Over two days, more than 300 attendees will expand their business network and engage in discussions focusing on the various aspects of energy in the State of Qatar. The summit will be held on 26-27 October 2015 at The Ritz Carlton, Doha, Qatar.