POWER-GEN ASIA 2006, the power industry's largest regional annual conference and exhibition, will be held at Hong Kong's AsiaWorld-Expo from tomorrow to Thursday. Running concurrently with this event will be the China Power conference, a technical and strategic event focusing on the mainland market. Event organiser PennWell is expecting a turnout of more than 4,000 industry specialists and 120 exhibitors. Exhibitors include Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, GE Energy, Hongkong Electric and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. POWER-GEN Asia moves annually among countries in Asia, enabling regional and overseas-based industry players to meet and share solutions and expertise. 'We consider POWER-GEN Asia a good opportunity to meet with our Chinese and Asian customers both in our exhibit and during the technical programme,' said Dennis Murphy, manager of global marketing communications for GE Energy. 'The technical papers we present at the event supply engineering-based solutions to issues facing our customers. Sponsoring the event is our way of committing our support to this regional programme and encouraging its success,' he said. Keynote speakers at POWER-GEN Asia include Richard McIndoe, group director and managing director, Australia, CLP Group, who will give an overview of the Asian power market and emerging developments; and Wan Chi-tin, director and general manager, Hongkong Electric, who will analyse the Hong Kong power market and give an update on the discussions over the expiring scheme of control agreement. Meanwhile, the China Power conference will tackle a range of topical issues, including secure supply, environmental protection and alternative energy sources, including renewable power. Nick Ornstien, group publisher and general manager of PennWell's Global Energy Group, said: 'Following the huge success of the inaugural China Power conference held in Beijing in 2005 and with the continued need for increased power capacity in China, PennWell sees the need to continue to address and confront the key issues of this exciting market.' The POWER-GEN gatherings are the world's largest power industry events. They are staged annually in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. According to PennWell, the events provide a dedicated forum aimed at specific regional needs, putting delegates and exhibitors in touch with suppliers of solutions to their problems while addressing topical issues that are critical to the development of electricity generation in the host region.