On April 27, AGSIW was pleased to host a roundtable discussion with the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center, a research institute in Saudi Arabia focusing on energy economics, policy, and technology. The Gulf Cooperation Council power markets have experienced considerable changes over the last three years. Oil glut induced fiscal austerity has led to governments cutting subsidies, an increase in electricity prices, and the privatization of utility providers, among other measures. GCC states are increasingly turning to industry reform, as they try and balance their need to cut costs, while at the same time fulfill their high energy demands.

The discussion focused on GCC power markets and individual and joint efforts being taken by the GCC states in power-related utility reform.