The increase in power consumption across the Middle East is keeping pace with - even sprinting ahead of - rising additional production, according to figures collated by the World Bank.
On both counts, Middle East countries, especially the Gulf states, are right at the top among regional blocs, said the bank in a recent report, cited by the Gulf News on Sunday.
“Further, the Gulf states - particularly the UAE and Oman - are creating additional capacity at electrifying speed.”
In 1998, the Middle East's per capita power consumption was nearly on par with that of Latin America, and well over those attained by East Asia and the Pacific countries, the report said.
On growth in production, the 1998 numbers show the Middle East to be among the top three regions, alongside South Asia and East Asia/Pacific.
According to the World Bank figures, average production increase between 1980 and 1998 was 39 percent in the Middle East and North Africa, while it was 41.4 percent across East Asia and the Pacific, and 39.5 percent for South Asia.
In comparison, Europe and Central Asia saw a 0.6 percent increase during the period, while Sub-Saharan Africa witnessed 12.1 percent, the report added.
"In the Middle East, electricity is used mainly for individual consumption rather than industrial production, and is therefore somewhat less reliable as an indicator of economic growth." – Albawaba.com
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© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
