kv GCC Interconnector Grid commissioned during the summer was launched at the GCC Power 2009 Conference and Exhibition inaugurated Monday at the Marriott Hotel here by Dr. Salih Bin Hussain Al-Awaji, Deputy Minister of Water and Electricity. The move to launch the interconnector grid affirmed the close collaboration among GCC countries on addressing important power challenges, such as supply, security and reliability in the power sector, according to a press release issued on the occasion. Over 500 delegates from the six-state GCC are participating in the conference in order to explore opportunities in the $162 billion GCC power sector. The event is expected to provide a business-to-business platform for suppliers, technology vendors, government and corporate decision-makers and other trade visitors to identify and discuss evolving challenges in the regional power industry. More than 50 research papers on energy topics ranging from system operation and control and high voltage equipment to system planning and power electronics will be discussed during the three-day event. Al-Awaji said the occasion will offer a centralized platform for regional and international players to explore the world's largest energy market. After opening the event, the deputy minister toured the exhibition along with other prominent Saudi officials and businessmen, who will promote energy opportunities in the Kingdom, which accounts for around half of the total energy investments in the Gulf states. Ali Bin Saleh Al-Barrak, president and CEO of Saudi Electricity Company, and Thani Al-Khusaibi, Chairman, Board of Directors-GCC CIGRE, were also present. CIGRE, the International Council on Large Electric Systems, is a leading global organization in the field of high voltage electricity, and GCC Power 2009 marks the fifth consecutive year that CIGRE is jointly organizing the event with IFP Qatar and Riyadh Exhibitions Company (REC). The event includes the 5th GCC CIGRE International Conference and the 14th Exhibition for Electrical Equipment. GCC CIGRE changes country venues annually, with Saudi Arabia chosen as this year's host of the event, largely because of the Kingdom's leadership in the power sector. The GCC arm of CIGRE was established by the GCC Ministers of Electricity and Water in April 1985 to promote regional technological and technical cooperation in the energy domain.
