Power-Gen Middle East returns to Bahrain next February after a strong showing in 2008. 

The 2009 event, to be held from the 17th to 19th of the month at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre in Manama, will have as its theme, ‘Keeping Pace with the Middle East’s Economic Expansion.’
Power-Gen Middle East is organised by PennWell and has developed into one of the region’s most important events dedicated to the power and water industries. 
It will be staged in three tracks. The Strategic Power Track discusses pivotal issues including market restructuring and regulations, implementation of major power projects and grid security and interconnections.
The Technical Power Track looks at industry developments including major IWPPs, plant design efficiency and emerging technologies. The Water Track tackles the strategic and technical issues surrounding the water industry and its close relationship to the power sector.
The advisory board of Power-Gen Middle East is now accepting abstracts for consideration for the 2009 conference. Abstracts can be submitted on-line at www.power-gen–middleeast.com and the deadline is June 23.
PennWell said the conference was a great opportunity to network with leading organisations and high-level influential people.
“The theme is quite pertinent to an event that aims to discuss how the Middle East can plan and meet the power and water demands of the future in a region that is experiencing growth at an extraordinary rate,” it said.
“The Gulf region is seeing an annual average increase in demand for power at around 8 per cent. With renewable water availability expected to fall and populations rapidly rising, the region’s authorities have to continuously increase supplies.
“With all the GCC countries requiring significant growth in the power and water sectors, an estimated $120 billion investment is anticipated in the industry over the next 10 years.”
“The first phase of the GCC interconnection grid is due to come on-line in 2008, providing inter-connected states with the chance to improve the economic and operational efficiency of their local power systems, while strengthening supply reliability and security.
“An estimated 8 per cent of all Arab investment is going into the power sector over the next few years, providing excellent business opportunities across the Gulf region.”
The organisers expect more than 120 exhibitors and 3,000 visitors from over 50 countries.
At the 2008 event held under the patronage of the Bahraini Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, there was a 26 per cent increase in visitor numbers and a 30 per cent growth in exhibitors, according to the organisers. 
PennWell Corporation is a highly diversified, business-to-business media company providing authoritative print and online publications, conferences and exhibitions, research, databases, online exchanges and information products to strategic global markets.