Energy

With demand for electricity and water rising quickly, authorities in Abu Dhabi have taken steps to reduce consumption, including the introduction of a billing system that will indicate usage more clearly to consumers. Meanwhile, a recent study by an international consultancy firm shows that the introduction of some power-saving techniques could reduce electricity demand in the UAE by up to 50%.

La compagnie pétrolière nationale publique algérienne, la Sonatrach, est passée à la vitesse supérieure dans son plan de développement qui prévoit 68 milliards de dollars d’investissements en 4 ans : elle a en effet signé un accord avec un consortium mené par la compagnie pétrolière espagnole Repsol pour le développement d’un projet gazier comportant six nouveaux champs dans la région de Reggane Nord.

Thanks to growing global demand for plastics in 2011, Kuwait’s petrochemicals companies reported improved financial results last year. Moreover, the sector looks set to expand, with the government investing in new facilities and taking steps to ensure that the industry has a sufficient supply of natural gas.

News that the Philippines is set for higher electricity prices this year has sparked protest from legislators and consumers alike, but the rate increases could actually foretell their eventual decline as the segment increases its efficiency.