UAE power demand to grow 10% annually to 2013

Electricity demand in the UAE is forecast to grow ten percent per annum to 2013, according to a report from research firm RNCOS.

The report, entitled “Middle East Power Sector Analysis”, said the Middle East power industry is one of the fastest growing electricity markets in the world and “rapid industrialisation and surging residential sector consumers will trigger electricity demand in UAE to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of ten percent during 2010 to 2013.”

In March, Abdulla Saif al Nuaimi, head of the privatisation directorate at Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA), said demand for electricity in Abu Dhabi is increasing at up to eleven percent year on year.

Demand for electricity in Abu Dhabi for 2009 was 6.255 megawatts according to a report by ADWEA and the emirate is expected to complete work and bring online the Shuweihat 3 independent power project (IPP) by 2013 to meet rising demand, according to Nuaimi.