The GCC could require nearly $50 billion of grid-related investments to support proposed capacity additions from renewables, according to a whitepaper prepared by Frost & Sullivan for Middle East Energy 2022.

The whitepaper titled 'Clean Energy – Going Beyond the Grid, revealed that for the GCC to diversify its power mix, investment in large-scale renewables capacity additions is required and would need corresponding increased investment in transmission and distribution networks to eliminate inadequacies.

In line with the expected increase in grid-related investments, a report titled Global Power Transmission and Distribution Equipment Industry has highlighted the transmission and distribution equipment industry is expected to top $312.8 billion globally by 2026, further underscoring its importance as a central theme.

The upcoming energy sector events such as the Middle East Energy 2022 and Global Energy & Utilities Forum will discuss at length topics including grids of the future, the role of machine learning and AI in future grids; and the rise of the ‘prosumer’, someone who both produces and consumes energy, and their impact on grid development.

Azzan Mohammed, exhibition director, Global Energy & Utilities Forum and Middle East Energy, said, "At the very centre of harnessing renewable energy and making it available for consumers is effective transmission and distribution networks, which is why the sector continues to play a prominent role at the Middle East Energy exhibition and during dedicated conference sessions."

"With the value of the transmission and distribution equipment industry continuing to grow exponentially, a range of market leaders have already confirmed their attendance at Middle East Energy and will be showcasing the latest technologies and innovations supporting the delivery of renewable energy to end-users and, ultimately, delivering on the regions net-zero commitments," he stated.