DAMMAM: Authorities in the water and electricity sectors proposed strategies to meet the increasing power and water demand in the next 20 years as the Kingdom's increasing population growth and vastly increased industrial sector continue to create a huge demand for these resources. A three-pronged general proposal was tabled at the Water, Electricity and Power Generation Forum currently being held at the Dhahran International Exhibition Center (Dhahran Expo). Abdullah Al-Hussayyen, Minister of Water and Electricity, addressing the opening of the forum Saturday, said water demand in the Kingdom is growing at the rate of seven percent annually, while the electricity sector is faced with demand that exceeded 10 percent of the peak load. He said the government is trying its best to meet these shortfalls. In the energy sector, the country needs SR330 billion to increase generation capacity by 30%, according to the Al-Hussayyen. A panel of experts from Saudi Aramco, Saudi Electricity Company, Saline Water Conversion Company (SWCC), and the Electricity and Cogeneration Regulatory Authority (ECRA), proposed, short of mandating, the urgency of (1) increasing efficiency in power generation and water production and maximizing waste water, (2) optimizing the productivity of ageing infrastructures and developing new capacity, and (3) reducing industrial and domestic water and power consumption through efficient use, education, and awareness. The need to implement and observe these strategies requires regulatory process and use of water and power resources the most productive way, according to Dr. Abdullah Al-Shehri, Governor of ECRA. “There is no turning back in the quests to increase production and improve efficiency because of the high population growth of 3.5% annually, hike in per capita consumption of 4.5%, and expanding gross domestic products,” Shehri said. Demand for water in the Kingdom is expected to have increased to 7.2 million cubic meters per day in 2010, and up to 9.6 million cubic meters per day by 2020. The conference is being attended by some 100 delegates from the Middle East, including 32 speakers from North American, Europe and Middle East.
