http://www.zawya.com/middle-east/poweren-usCopyright 2012 Zawya Ltd. All rights reserved.Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:26:00 GMT3914476http://www.zawya.com/middle-east/powerhttp://www.zawya.com/images/newsletter_zawya_logo.gifhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120214032650/Saudi_Shoura_debate_on_AC_standard_put_offThe Shoura Council on Monday postponed a debate on imposing a uniform standard on air conditioners sold in the Kingdom.Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:53:49 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120214032650Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120214040722/SR33bn_for_power_projects_in_Makkah_regionThe Saudi Electricity Company is currently executing projects worth more than SR33 billion in Makkah region, its CEO Ali Al-Barrak said Monday. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:27:16 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120214040722Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120214031731/Doedijns_begins_Dubai_operationsThe Netherlands-based Doedijns Group has announced official opening of its new premises in Dubai to strengthen its presence in the region.Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:13:52 GMTEmirates 24|7 ZAWYA20120214031731Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120213053145/GAC_Oman_joins_Muscat_Daily_paper_recycling_initiativeGlobal shipping and logistics giant GAC recently joined Muscat Daily's recycling awareness campaign. Recycling in any form is one of the easiest ways to enhance awareness among people, according to a press release.Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:51:50 GMTMuscat Daily ZAWYA20120213053145Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120213015503/Reliable_and_continuous_power_supply_is_our_aim_says_Saudi_Electricity_chiefSaudi Electricity Company President and CEO Ali S. Al-Barrak estimates that more than SR450 billion ($120 billion) of capital investment will be required over the next 10 years.Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:15:03 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120213015503Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120212041058/Basra_to_buy_electricity_from_central_governmentThe Iraqi Electricity Ministry agreed to sell 325 megawatts to Basra province from the quantities produced by the electrical production vessels in the port, provincial sources said.Sun, 12 Feb 2012 06:45:43 GMTAswat Aliraq ZAWYA20120212041058Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120212052617/SMN_Powers_profit_soars_222_in_2011SMN Power Holding Company reported a 222 per cent rise in year-on-year net profit in 2011. Net profit surged to RO3.8mn from RO1.2mn in 2010, according to a company disclosure to the Muscat Securities Market (MSM).Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:44:27 GMTMuscat Daily ZAWYA20120212052617Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120212044202/Deputies_request_special_session_on_electricity_prices_in_JordanJordan's Lower House is scheduled during today's session to look into a memorandum signed by 13 deputies who requested a "special session" to discuss the recent increase in electricity prices.Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:34:23 GMTJordan Times ZAWYA20120212044202Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120212044834/3400_power_projects_inaugurated_in_IranSome 3,400 electricity projects have been inaugurated nationwide in recent days, said deputy energy minister.Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:27:51 GMTIran Daily ZAWYA20120212044834Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120212045835/Iranian_MAPNA_Company_Continues_Building_Electricity_Plants_in_SyriaTEHRAN - Managing Director of the Iranian Power Plant Projects Management Company (MAPNA), Abbas Aliabadi, stressed that the building operations of Gender electricity plant in Syria will continue. In a statement to Iranian press on Saturday,...Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:25:30 GMTSANA (Syria Arab News Agency) ZAWYA20120212045835Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120212032600/Dubai_villa_owners_conceive_cool_alternative_to_high_chiller_chargesA steep hike in chiller charges proposed for Dubai's upscale Jumeirah Islands is forcing villa owners to look for alternative ways to cool their abodes. A number of Jumeirah Islands villa owners have refused to sign up the new contract citing an unreasonable hike in proposed consumption charges - two-and-a-half times of last year's charges.Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:16:54 GMTEmirates 24|7 ZAWYA20120212032600Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120211050551/SMN_Power_declares_first_results_since_IPOAnnouncing its first financial results since its listing on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM), following its Initial Public Offering (IPO) last October, SMN Power Holding SAOG reported a net profit of RO 3.836 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2011. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:26:54 GMTOman Daily Observer ZAWYA20120211050551Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120211034542/KSA_to_go_solar_to_raise_water_desalination_plant_outputPrince Turki Bin Saud Bin Mohammed Al-Saud, Vice President for the Research Institutes Office at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), will deliver a policy address on the application of solar energy in developing water desalination as a strategic choice for the Kingdom at the First Saudi Renewable Energy Conference and Exhibition to be convened on February 19.Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:28:44 GMTThe Saudi Gazette ZAWYA20120211034542Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidpdf_100212130710/BMI_Oman_Water_Report_Jan12BMI View: Omanis can be broadly confident that the authorities will prioritise the development of the country?s water sector, as it is one of the main service provision pressure points where public discontent can make itself shown. The welcome regulatory initiatives seen during 2011 - such as the announcing of a new Power Sector Law that will include provisions for large independent water projects, such as at Al- Ghubrah - are a confidence booster for potential investors in desalination projects. Desalination is clearly going to remain a strong focus for the Sultanate through 2012. Further confirmation of Oman?s continued commitment to private water provision came in Q411, when the Oman Power and Water Procurement (OPWP) Company announced plans to develop two new independent water projects at Quriyat and Suwayq. There is also much anticipation regarding the large-scale Duqm project.- Privatisation is a watchword for the authorities. However, in the wake of the Arab Spring protests which took place during H111, which brought out a number of protestors to the streets of Muscat, there may be a slowing down of private projects and a greater focus on state-backed schemes. Under the 2012 budget, there are estimated to be 20% increases in state expenditure, which will see a larger share of state spending geared towards the water sector.- A positive sign of Oman?s continued commitment to IWPPs came in Q411, when the OPWP announced plans to develop two new independent water projects at Quriyat and Suwayq. The former will have a capacity of 40mn gallons a day (g/d) using reverse osmosis (RO) technology, while the latter will have a 50,m g/d capacity, again using RO technology.- A decision on the future of the proposed Duqm IWPP is anticipated during Q112. OPWP is expected to announce details of how the Duqm project will be structured, following a study on the scheme and how it will be linked to Oman?s main interconnected system.With greater investment in the water sectoFri, 10 Feb 2012 13:02:00 GMTBusiness Monitor International Limited pdf_100212130710Subscriptionhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidWAM20120210114005003/Gatoson_Holdings_expresses_interest_in_Mohammed_bin_Rashid_Al_Maktoum_Solar_Park Vice Chairman of Dubai's Supreme Council of Energy (SCE) Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer has received a letter from the Hong Kong based Gatoson Holdings expressing the company's interest to bid for the construction of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, estimated to cost AED 12B.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:55:39 GMTWAM (Emirates News Agency) WAM20120210114005003Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidpdf_100212125353/BMI_Morocco_Infrastructure_Report__Dec11The Moroccan construction industry is estimated to have experienced real growth of around 7.4% in 2011, with the sector recovering from the period of relatively subdued growth seen in 2009 and 2010. Underpinned by a healthy pipeline of infrastructure projects, multilateral financing and a robust economic growth outlook, we expect the sector to continue on this strong growth trajectory over the medium to long-term. We have pencilled in real growth of around 6.5% year-on-year (y-o-y) for Morocco?s construction industry in 2012 and we expect real industry growth to average between 5% and 6% per annum between 2012 and 2016. 2012=6.5%Infrastructure developments include:- Morocco?s expenditure on infrastructure will help underpin average real GDP growth of 3.9% per year in the period 2011-2016, according to BMI?s forecasts. The government stepped up its spending on basic infrastructure to MAD400bn (US$47.26bn) for 2008-2012, up from just MAD80bn (US$9.45bn) for the previous period. Roads, ports, airports and transmission grids have been among the assets to benefit from the stronger spending, providing a windfall for established firms.- In November 2011, the World Bank agreed to provide US$297mn in financial assistance to Morocco for the development of one of the world's largest solar power plants. The loan will support the first phase of the solar power plant, which is due to have a capacity of 500MW. The Ouarzazate concentrated solar power plant is part of the country's solar power programme, worth US$9bn, and holds significant importance for Morocco. Of the total loan amount, US$200mn will be provided through its fund that lends to middle-income countries, while the remaining US$97mn will be granted under the World Bank Clean Technology Fund.- In May 2011, Moroccan state power company Office National de l'Electricité (ONE) invited wind turbine companies to submit expressions of interest in building and operating a 150MW wind farm 300km north-east of Rabat. MoroccoFri, 10 Feb 2012 12:48:00 GMTBusiness Monitor International Limited pdf_100212125353Subscriptionhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidpdf_100212124456/BMI_Libya_Infrastructure_Report_Dec112011 was a momentous year for Libya. A 10-month civil war sparked by the Arab Spring in February saw Libyan dictator Muammar Qadhafi?s regime toppled and the leader himself later killed in October. The National Transitional Council (NTC) is currently in power, and acting Prime Minister Abdurrahim el- Keib has appointed a transitional cabinet to lead the country to elections which are planned for August 2012.Priorities beforehand will include uniting the various militia factions, securing stability and ending violence, restoring access to basic utilities and resuming oil exports in order to secure much-needed revenues. In amongst this agenda is the issue of reconstruction, which is estimated to cost between US$200bn and US$480bn over ten years. This is creating huge potential opportunities for construction companies, many of whom are competing to get a head start and curry favour with the new Libyan leaders.Reconstruction priorities will include public and social infrastructure that provide crucial services, such as healthcare, education, electricity and water supply. Repairing transport infrastructure will also be crucial to getting the economy back on track, especially those which serve oil exports. Over the long-term, an overhaul of Libya?s infrastructure sector will be required. The country?s infrastructure was already in a bad state prior to the civil war, following years of underinvestment and international sanctions. Work to rehabilitate existing infrastructure and expand its scope is therefore necessary. However, currently the government has no structure in place through which to procure projects; therefore, institutions and regulations will need to be established. This is a longer term vision and will only come to fruition following elections and some semblance political stability.Despite the longer term nature of reconstruction in Libya, companies have been eager to court the NTC in order to secure new contracts and protect existing projects halted onFri, 10 Feb 2012 12:38:00 GMTBusiness Monitor International Limited pdf_100212124456Subscriptionhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120210073827/Saudi_Arabia_Five_national_energy_conservation_targets_setThe Saudi Energy Efficiency Center (SEEC) will focus initially on five national energy conservation targets to achieve the Kingdom's thrust of promoting energy efficiency as a key national priority.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:56:30 GMTThe Saudi Gazette ZAWYA20120210073827Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120209044201/Petra_springs_to_be_tested_periodicallyThe Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) and the energy centre at the University of Jordan on Wednesday signed an agreement, under which the latter will conduct periodic tests of water springs in the Petra region.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:40:13 GMTJordan Times ZAWYA20120209044201Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120209060716/FCC_wins_water_management_contract_in_Abu_Dhabi A consortium led by aqualia (FCC's water management subsidiary) and local company Mace has been awarded a contract to manage the sewage and water treatment system in Abu Dhabi.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:35:43 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120209060716Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120209032811/German_skills_boost_for_Saudi_Electricity_staffEight selected engineers of Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) will commence training at Siemens in Germany as part of an Expert Development Program, with the aim of expanding their know-how in the fields of energy and grid technology. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:32:47 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120209032811Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidDS09022012_dsart-162705/World_Bank_lends_Lebanon_200_million_for_water_projectThe Lebanese government signed a $200 million World Bank loan to finance a $370 million project aiming to supply Beirut with water from the Awali River.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:30:54 GMTThe Daily Star DS09022012_dsart-162705Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_08022012_090254/New_utility_bills_in_Abu_Dhabi_next_monthA new utility bill for water and electricity is to be rolled out across the emirate of Abu Dhabi next month.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:24:11 GMTGulf News GN_08022012_090254Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208070813/Kuwait_plans_wastewater_projectThe Partnerships Technical Bureau (PTB) in Kuwait has officially launched the Umm Al Hayman Wastewater Project, issuing a request for expressions of interest from the private sector for the development of a new Waste water treatment plant. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:33:43 GMTTimes of Oman ZAWYA20120208070813Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208070720/Plan_to_build_Sohars_cooling_water_project_gets_good_responseThirteen companies have presented their bid offers for a project to construct cooling water intake and discharge station at the Sohar Industrial Estate (Phase II). Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:32:04 GMTTimes of Oman ZAWYA20120208070720Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208121324/IPC_and_Centrotherm_Photovoltaic_to_develop_SR4bn_industrial_complexIDEA Polysilicon Company (IPC) has signed an agreement with Centrotherm Photovoltaic, the world's leading technology and equipment provider for the photovoltaic industry, to provide the technical know-how and basic engineering design for IDEA's project to manufacture high quality Polysilicon and Wafers for solar panels which will be located in Yanbu Industrial City. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:08:19 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120208121324Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidpdf_080212112142/NCB_Business_Optimism_Index__Saudi_Arabia_Q1_2012_08Feb12This is a PDF report. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:15:00 GMTNational Commercial Bank pdf_080212112142Subscriptionhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208105218/Deloittes_Water_Tight_2012_report_the_era_of_cheap_water_is_overDeloitte has launched the Water Tight 2012 report, which explores the future of the global water sector in the year ahead. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:04:33 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120208105218Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208081556/Eversheds_soaks_up_Qatari_utilities_contractThe Doha office of international law firm Eversheds has been appointed to advise Qatar General Electricity and Water Co (Kahramaa) in relation to its strategies for the improvement and expansion of electricity and water supply in Qatar. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:32:44 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120208081556Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208041314/Energy_Council_reviews_Dubai_Integrated_Gas_Strategy_2030Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Energy (SCE) for Dubai, chaired the Council's 15th meeting at Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) headquarters with Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the SCE, and Nejib Zaafrani, CEO and Secretary-General of the SCE, and other members of the council in attendance. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:01:46 GMTKhaleej Times ZAWYA20120208041314Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208044137/Electro_Groups_technical_acumen_gains_high_esteemElectro Group of Industries started with a humble beginning in 1971 in Jeddah and expanded to Riyadh and Dammam, before establishing manufacturing capability in Dubai, Qatar and Lebanon. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:27:38 GMTThe Saudi Gazette ZAWYA20120208044137Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208045605/Lebanese_minister_calls_for_presence_of_Iranian_companies_in_LebanonIran ambassador to Beirut Ghazanfar Roknabadi in a meeting with Lebanese Minister of Energy and Water Gebran Bassil here on Tuesday discussed issues of mutual interest. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:21:09 GMTIRNA ZAWYA20120208045605Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208050807/Qurayyah_combinedcycle_power_plant_to_boost_power_generating_capacityThe Qurayyah combined-cycle power plant (CCPP) will receive the key components worth over $1 billion from Siemens.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:03:30 GMTSaudi Press Agency ZAWYA20120208050807Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208051003/Turkey_to_invest_in_Irans_power_sectorTurkey is expected to invest in the generation of 6,000 megawatts of electricity in Iran, said energy minister. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:02:56 GMTIran Daily ZAWYA20120208051003Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208040900/Japan_invited_to_set_up_industries_in_Abu_DhabiAbu Dhabi Chambers of Commerce and Industry has invited Japanese investment to set up projects in the areas of renewable energy, technology, electronics, petrochemicals and the car manufacturing. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:08:12 GMTKhaleej Times ZAWYA20120208040900Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208041126/Electricity_show_draws_1000_firms_eyeing_180b_projectsMiddle East Electricity, lining up more than 1,000 exhibitors from across the globe seeking to be part of the booming regional energy sector where $180 billion worth of projects are under way, opened on Tuesday at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:02:11 GMTKhaleej Times ZAWYA20120208041126Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208030747/Rera_official_blames_chiller_costs_for_high_service_charges_in_DubaiAlthough "maintenance" charges have come down significantly in Dubai, it is the utility and chiller charges that have led to an increase in service charges, a senior government official told Emirates 24|7.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:14:38 GMTEmirates 24|7 ZAWYA20120208030747Open