The Significance of the Energy Industry in the Middle East

Having observed Al Zour North Independent Water and Power Plant taking a whole US$ 2.7 billion from the US$ 4.2 billion approved by the Kuwaiti government for power and water projects signifies the importance of projects of this nature. One concern that was raised was the perceived depletion of the oil reserves, nevertheless there was another concern as well. The oil producing Gulf Stateswant to invest heavily on other sources of energy to ascertain that petrol prices come within bearable ranges in terms of prices. This can only be achieved by ensuring a constant effort towards getting alternative sources to supplement the oil industry.

The Gulf States which had invested so much on oil exploration and its drilling have shifted focus now to the new emerging industry which requires investment as well in terms of human resources. Constantly you find nationals of these States being sent to the US and other western countries to study different disciplines within this industry. Currently the work force that is employed in most of these plants is foreign experts with a handful of local experts and a whole myriad of local laborers. There have been lots of imports in terms of skills in these countries, but hopefully with the attainment of the necessary skills for the team that is in studies abroad the trend will be reversed in the next couple of years.

Most of the Gulf States which are surviving on hardships because of their existence in desert areas have constantly been facing acute water shortage. Nevertheless, thanks to the emerging trends within the sector where some projects are curbing several problems simultaneously for instance Al Zour North Independent Water and Power Plant in Kuwait which apart from producing power, it will also produce water for domestic use. It is geared towards producing 1,500 MW of power daily and Water desalination plant which has a capacity of 464 to 486 thousand m³/day. Gulf States Nationals will have power from other sources, an increase in oil exports and water availability, a remarkable achievement.