Iraq Electricity Ministry confirms importance of POWER-GEN Middle East

Iraq's Senior Deputy Minister of Electricity Raad Al-Haris has confirmed his intention to attend and speak at POWER-GEN Middle East conference, which takes place in Abu Dhabi 30 January - 1 February 2006. He will participate in a special conference session devoted to the reconstruction of Iraq's power infrastructure. Commenting on his attendance, the Deputy Minister said, 'POWER-GEN Middle East is an important forum for informing the industry of the condition of our network and our immediate and future needs.'

Al-Haris revealed that the ministry's priority was to start building new thermal power plants in 2006 with capacity of 4000 MW to meet customers needs. 'Companies attending this networking event will have a chance to see just how they can help Iraq in the reconstruction work,' said Al-Haris.

The Iraq Power session, scheduled for Wednesday 1 February, will also
feature speakers from Iraqi and international contracting firms actively involved in the work of reconstruction as well the Project & Contracting Office (PCO).

Other recently confirmed speakers taking part in the twin-tracked POWER-GEN Middle East conference include Dr Saheh Al Alawi, the newly appointed chairman of the Authority of Electricity Regulation in Oman and the Board Member of the GCC Grid Interconnection Authority Dr Saud Al-Humaidan. Also featured will be Mr Omar Alghamdi, President of the Water & Electricity Company, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Mr Gerhard Gleissner, Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Company.