Power, water projects worth USD 32.7 b beginning in Mideast

In the UAE, 10 power and water projects worth USD 1.5 billion have been slated to begin construction in 2012, including a USD 740 million solar power plant named Noor 1, and the phase II of a USD 580 million power plant.

Kuwait has given green light to 19 power and water projects worth USD 4.2 billion, highlighted by a USD 2.7 billion water and power plant, details released by market research specialists Ventures Middle East said.

Saudi Arabia has 15 fresh projects worth USD 8.8 billion lined up this year, and other Mid East countries surging ahead with new power and water projects in 2012 include Egypt, Oman, Qatar, Jordan, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, and Bahrain.

According to the World Energy Council, the Gulf region alone will require 100 GW of additional power by 2020 to meet increased demand, growing at 7.7 per cent annually.

Population in the Middle East is expected to grow by 31 per cent by 2025, reaching 500 million, forcing regional governments to not only ramp up efforts to invest in more power capacity, but also putting significant strain on already scarce natural water resources.

The Middle East is one of the most water scarce regions in the world, requiring significant investment in water infrastructure and non-traditional water technologies such as desalination and wastewater re-use