Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region is on the cusp of energy revolution thanks to the attractive financing market coupled with strong regional growth prospects that offer the best opportunity for utilities, developers and investors to evolve win-win solutions, says Sharad Somani, executive director &ASPAC Head for Power & Utilities, KPMG Corporate Finance.
Somani was speaking in the context of the upcoming Power Qatar Summit, held under the patronage of Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa). The summit will focus on facilitating collaboration and engagement among industry stakeholders to address the region’s energy demand and explore opportunities to redefine its future energy model.
Qatar government’s various initiatives to accelerate and bolster its energy strategy in order to achieve a sustainable energy future has gained global recognition, according to officials of the summit.
“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,” Somani added.
Kahramaa has planned to roll out smart meters and smart grid in the country by 2016. In view of this, the summit will feature multiple sessions by regional and international industry leaders on the future and challenges of deploying smart grid technology in Qatar.
Wail Gadour, sales consulting director, Oracle Utilities, will share insight on Enabling the Smart Grid through Efficient Utilities Solutions, while Abdelkader Bousselham, senior scientist, Grid Integration, Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, will present a session on The Path towards Smart Grid: Microgridsand Demand Response for Energy Efficiency, Energy Conservation and Renewable Integration.
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.
The summit will be held on 26-27 October 2015 at The Ritz Carlton, Doha, Qatar.
Rajani Baburajan