Gulf nations pledge $ 100 bn for power sector

Feb 17, 2009 01:00 AM

Leaders from six Gulf countries during a conference in Bahrain pledged to commit more than $ 100 bn to boost the region's power sector. Electricity demand in the region has increased between 8 % and 9 % every year for several years.
"Over the next 10 years these countries will need to add much additional installed power to support economies that are running at twice the growth rate of the major advanced economies," said Nigel Blackaby, director of conferences at PennWell International Power Group.

Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have all agreed to face the challenge of increasing electric capacity together.
The money will go toward expanding and adding new electricity infrastructure and making it more reliable and up to date.