Forum's second day discusses IPP & IWPP case studies and energy diversification

(Dubai, UAE) 25 September 2012 - The CWC Group's Arabian Water & Power Forum (AWPF) concluded today (September 25 2012) in Dubai at the Atlantis, The Palm Hotel on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah. The event was held under the Patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, and partnered with the UAE Ministry of Environment & Water, DEWA & DSCE.

The second day of the Forum started with a session titled: 'IPP & IWPP Case Study Panel: Analysing the successes, challenges and benefits'. The session was moderated by Nick Bahr, Principal, Booz, Allen, Hamilton and welcomed speakers including Rohit Gokhale, Director, Acquisitions & Project Finance, ACWA Power; Tauseef Farooqi, Commercial Director, Taweelah Asia Power Company (TAPCO), UAE ; Jean Rappe, Executive Vice President of Business Development, IPR - GDF SUEZ Middle East, Turkey & Africa ; and Bas van Vossen, Manager Intake & Outfalls Market Team, Deltares.

The session focussed on the most successful IPP & IWPP projects to date and evaluated recent changes in the market to stimulate private investment. It also showcased the latest technologies employed.

The second session of the day welcomed Dr Kareem W Hassan, Former Iraq Minister of Electricity, Iraq and Dr Mustafa Al-Jarrah, Former DG Petrochemicals, Iraq Ministry of Industry, Iraq. The speakers highlighted the outlining developments within Iraq's Electricity Master Plan, and the financing and implementation strategies that should be followed to achieve required power levels. They also reviewed the implementation schedule of Iraqi power projects and defined the current challenges that face power distribution and transmission systems' ROI's.

The noon session was moderated by Hatem Samman, Director & lead Economist, Booz & Co, and titled 'Ensuring fuel diversification: Defining a viable role for renewable energy'. Speaking during this session was Mohammed Atif, Director, DNV KEMA Middle East. The session assessed the possibilities offered by nuclear, wind, geothermal and solar in the region as a clean, sustainable source of energy, as well as developing the required level of expertise for the advancement of a renewables market, and the impact of renewables integration upon grid stability.

The sessions continued after lunch with a focus on Nuclear energy, Solar power, and the enhancement of power grid systems. The Nuclear Forum was moderated by Christer Viktorsson, Deputy Director General for Operations, Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, UAE. Speakers included Gauri Singh, Director of Knowledge Management & Technology Cooperation, IRENA and Michael Waite, EMEA Business Development, Westinghouse Nuclear Power Plants.

The Solar Spotlight Forum session was moderated by Mohammed Atif, Director, DNV KEMA Middle East and witnessed the participation of Ramesh Trikkadi, Renewables Specialist, ABB, Dr Hamda Ali Al-Thani, Director, NEWRC, ADWEA, UAE, and Bader Al Lamki, Director of Clean Energy, Masdar. The session highlighted topics including investment criteria and emerging technologies, latest progress in solar pilot projects from across the region, advancements in solar desalination projects, and cutting-edge solutions within the CSP and PV markets.

The final session of the day discussed the enhancement of power grid system reliability, quality and security of supply. Mark Preece, Director, Abu Dhabi Electricity Network, Regulation & Supervision Bureau, UAE spoke during this session and discussed upgrading the power sector efficiency through improvement of power reliability and quality, maximising network grid efficiency to minimise losses, and exploring the role of regulations and policies in increasing network efficiency. The session was moderated by Frank Ackland, Region GM: Middle East & Africa, GE Energy.

The Forum awarded companies and professionals who have demonstrated exceptional talent and innovation through work on sustainable power and water projects. The  Arabian Water & Power Forum Awards for Innovation in Sustainability was held on the evening of Day 1 where  Aqualia, National Water Company - Saudi Arabia, Parsons, PTL Solar, Prana Sustainable Water and Dow Water & Process Solutions were all shortlisted.

The Award, presented by DEWA, was won by Dow Water & Process Solutions, for bringing together the elements of science and the human element to create sustainable solutions.

The Arabian Water & Power Forum was organized by The CWC Group, a leading events company focused on energy and infrastructure issues. The event was attended by H.E. Dr Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, the UAE's Minister for Environment & Water. Arabian Water & Power Forum was organised in partnership with UAE Ministry of Environment, Supreme Council of Energy, and & Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.

For more information about the event, the program and the speakers, please visit www.cwcawpf.com

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© Press Release 2012