Massive growth in the Middle East's new and renewable energy sector anticipated

[jpak]

http://www.ameinfo.com/105234.html

Drastic increases in oil prices and increased awareness of the limited availability of traditional fossil fuels is giving the new and renewable energy sector enormous momentum, with many of the world leaders in the field of photovoltaics (solar power), wind power and other environmentally friendly energy schemes accelerating product innovations that are being embraced across the region as alternative power sources.

The landmark Bahrain World Trade Centre towers will be the first of their kind in the world to use wind energy. Wind power will be harnessed by the building's three massive turbines, which are supported by bridges between the two towers, and will provide around 11-15% of the electricity needs of the two office towers.

Also in Bahrain, the master-planned US$1.3 billion Bahrain Financial Harbour development will be fed by the innovative North Shore District Cooling Network, phase one of which is due to be completed by the start of 2007. It will provide about 30,000 Tons of Refrigeration (TR) to the entire complex. District cooling is gaining popularity because it delivers value to customers in comparison with conventional approaches to building cooling, and it consumes far less energy than conventional cooling systems. According to a recent study, district cooling will reduce peak power demand in Bahrain by over 400 MW by 2020.

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'Typical of the huge growth in the new and renewable energy sector is photovoltaics, which had a worldwide turnover of €5.8 billion last year and a growth rate of around 40%,' said Woodbridge. 'Demand has been so high that there was a global shortage of silicon, the raw material essential to the industry, and this clearly illustrates the global trend that is seeing governments seriously look at the possibilities offered by alternative energy sources - the Middle East, with a virtually unlimited source of sunlight, is ideally placed to take full advantage of solar power.'

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[LSK]

1. pic of Bahrain World Trade Centre

[bananas]

2. Oh god

I thought those were airplanes flying into those buildings.