Continuously rising demand for energy fuelled by the fast-growing economies of the Middle East has led to governments around the region stepping up the drive to create new energy production and distribution systems and facilities. With recent reports indicating that GCC countries were set to spend a stunning $252 billion (Dh925.5 billion) over the next few years in setting up new power production plants, distribution systems and supply grids, the region is set to be a focal point for international energy firms and infrastructural engineers. Qatar leads the rush to create new power generation systems, set to spend $125 billion in construction and energy projects. Saudi Arabia, with a domestic electricity demand which is growing twice as fast as its economy, is not far behind, announcing power projects worth $100 billion. Among other big spenders on creating new energy generating infrastructure in the near future is Kuwait, with plans for investing $27 billion in the pipeline. In the UAE, Masdar is planning a $600 million solar power plant with a cap-acity of 100 megawatts in Abu Dhabi soon. With lighting taking up 19 per cent of all electricity worldwide according to statistics from the Interntaional Energy Agency (IEA), interest in energy-efficient lighting systems and design is spreading. \"With energy becoming ever more expensive, there is huge interest in the cost-reduction potential afforded by new technology,\" said Ahmad Pauwels, chief executive officer of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, organisers of Light Middle East 2011. \"And it is not just the high costs there is also increasing awareness of the environmental effects of climate change,\" he added. \"It is predicted that the use of energy efficient lighting solutions all of which already exist today, but are not widely implemented could save an average of 40 per cent per year in terms of CO2 emissions and in energy costs,\" Pauwels added. From / Gulf News