Regional Energy Supply Challenges to be Addressed at Power Morocco

DUBAI, UAE, April 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Energy experts and government officials are to come together to explore sector strategy and challenges in a bid to secure the future of energy provision in the region.

Middle Eastern, North African and Mediterranean leaders from power companies, multi-national developers and investors will all be descending on Casablanca between 6 - 9 June to attend Power Morocco 2011 following international concern on the looming energy supply and demand shortfall.

The event, which combines a two-day high-level conference with two days of workshops, will address the challenges preventing further growth in the development of power in the region. It will facilitate the forging of new international partnerships that will aim to prevent a future energy supply crisis.

The summit comes as the region begins to take significant strides in upping power generation and distribution capabilities to combat the predicted rise in energy demand; believed to be a result of a rapid rise in population, increased industrial activity and dwindling supplies of conventional forms of energy.

Sandra Hijnen, Divisional Director at IQPC for Energy and Utilities said: "The Middle Eastern and North African countries are recognizing the current shortfall in energy supply and they know they need to act now to safeguard power provision for generations to come. They are seeing the benefits that can come with being self-sufficient; knowing they can secure the future of the economy and generate an additional revenue stream by harnessing renewable energy and selling the power to countries dependent on the dwindling reserves of traditional energy.

It is an exciting time for the power sector in the MENA region. Countries such as Morocco are playing a pivotal role in shaping the future trade of energy - history is being made."

It is estimated that Morocco, amongst other nations in the region will face extreme difficulty in supplying the power needed by its population if it does not act now. Regional figures released by MEED, highlight a capacity shortfall if local power generation and transmission and distribution is not dramatically enhanced and networks upgraded.

The report reveals that Morocco alone needs to increase its capacity to provide an extra 9,000 MW by 2019 to meet its own future demand, and Egypt requiring a shocking 19,000 MW to be able to meet demand comfortably in eight years time.

Like many of its neighbors, Morocco has set clear energy objectives to avoid a future energy crisis. With vast resources in solar and wind, Morocco intends to increase its clean-tech capabilities to be able to source 43% of its total power supply from renewable energy by 2020.

Strategy like the Moroccan Solar Plan has seen the launch of plans to develop several large-scale CSP solar plants, including a US $9bn project to construct a plant at Ouarzazate. Morocco has also announced its intention to capitalise on its wind power resources with a number of wind farm developments in the pipeline, including a US $320m wind farm in Tarfaya.

Power Morocco, which is being held in Casablanca between 6 - 9 June 2011, will explore these projects in further detail and provide an opportunity for industry stakeholders to meet, network, do business and share industry best-practices.

This first edition of Power Morocco features informative presentations and case-studies from high profile speakers, including; Azzedine Khatami, Strategic Project Manager, Office National de l'Electricite, Morocco (ONE); Dr. Abdelaziz Bennouna, Member, DESERTEC and Former Coordinator, Renewable Energy Technologies and Economy Unit (TEER) at the National Centre for Science and Technology (CNRST) Morocco; Mustapha Enzili, Head of Resources & Engineering Department, Renewable Energy Development Centre Morocco (CDER) and Silvia Pariente-David, Senior Energy Specialist, World Bank, MENA.

Power Morocco is organised by IQPC as part of its Energy and Utility series which hosts international summits in Europe, America and Asia Pacific. For more information, visit http://www.iqpc.com and http://www.powermorocco.com.

About International Quality and Productivity Centre (IQPC) Middle East:

For over thirty years, IQPC has helped the world's leading corporations solve their business challenges through the sharing of practical industry solutions and global best practice. In the process, the company has built a formidable reputation for quality and value. During this time, the Middle East's most progressive companies have benefited from IQPC's unrivalled global reach, which has connected international expertise with regional and local leaders. For more information, visit http://www.iqpc.ae

    
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