Solar Utilities Network to be launched in 2018

The Gulf Industry Fair 2018, the GCC’s annual industrial event in Bahrain, is set to launch a new initiative for renewable energy sector next year — the Solar Utilities Network (SUN).
The Gulf Industrial Fair will take place from Feb. 6 to 8 next year under the patronage of Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, prime minister of Bahrain, at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Center.
“The SUN initiative will contribute to the growing awareness of how solar will affect industry and society and the commercial opportunities for both users and suppliers,” said Jubran Abdulrahman, managing director of Hilal Conferences & Exhibitions (HCE), organizers of the event.
“The solar power renewable energy opportunities are expanding rapidly in the GCC. Solar power in the Gulf is becoming a viable option for energy diversification strategies. The movement away from traditional carbon-based energy sources is also creating a requirement for reskilling of the workforce,” added Abdulrahman.
The Solar Utilities Network will promote a network of expertise and provide a platform for knowledge exchange for those in the solar and renewable energy sectors. The forum will cover topics surrounding the solar energy policies that will be implemented by governments in the GCC countries.
“Solar is of global interest and the network is organized against the backdrop of an exhibition looking at products and services promoting industrial development.
“So, it is important that the network event also looks at issues such as photovoltaic solar systems, energy storage and the implementation of the solar system for industrial use,” said Ahmed Suleiman, exhibition director.
The Solar Utilities Network forum is supported by the Bahrain Solar Association and the Bahrain Industrial Association.