Paris - MENA Herald: A delegation from the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), led by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Supreme Council of Energy and MD & CEO of DEWA, has met with decision-makers and CEOs from energy, water and environmental businesses in France during their participation in COP21 in Paris. A special briefing was held with a number of French government organisations such as the French Business Council, the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF), the Renewable Energies Syndicate (SER), the French Trade Commission, UBI France, the French Business Council in Dubai, and the French embassy in the UAE. Anne-Marie Idrac, Special Representative of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, gave a welcome speech where she highlighted French interest in enhancing partnerships with Dubai, especially in energy. She noted that the French Government is interested in participating in DEWA’s projects and initiatives, particularly in renewable energy, and exchanging knowledge, expertise, and technologies, to support the sustainable development of Dubai.
“I am pleased to be with you today here in Paris, the City of Light, to share with you the inspiring story of Dubai, a city that is pioneering the path towards sustainable green growth. This story directly supports the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai and the UAE into a global hub of green economy and sustainable development. Dubai has raised the bar in bringing solar power to its citizens and residents, to ensure the delivery of 7% of solar power by 2020, His Highness has directed us to deliver 75% of Dubai’s total power output using clean energy by 2050, based on the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050. By 2030, we must produce 25% from solar power, while reducing our dependence on natural gas to 61%, by 2030,” said Al Tayer.
“Dubai Clean Energy Strategy consists of five main pillars: Infrastructure, legislation, funding, building capacities and skills, and an environmentally-friendly energy mix. Much of this will be centred on the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site project of its kind in the world, which will generate 5,000 megawatts of clean energy by 2030. This Solar Park has an innovation centre built using 3D printing technology, with Research and Development centres focused on the next generation of clean energy technologies, such as testing solar energy technologies, drone research, 3D printing technology, and solar-energy based desalination. This will be backed up by a USD 138 million research fund for research and development on the integration of smart grids, energy efficiency and electricity generation from solar energy,” added Al Tayer.
“Dubai is no stranger to driving free trade, and will continue this successful strategy with the establishment of a new free zone, the Dubai Green Zone, to attract research and development centres and start-ups working on clean energy. This will also be supported by the Dubai Green Fund, which will contribute over USD 27 billion towards clean energy projects in the Emirate. DEWA itself will invest USD 16.4 billion in energy and water across Dubai over the next five years, to meet growing demand for electricity and water in the Emirate,” added Al Tayer.
“We welcome French businesses to partner with us to achieve our goals for renewable energy projects in Dubai. We would like to explore new mutual opportunities for partnerships in future initiatives and projects by the Supreme Council of Energy and DEWA,” noted Al Tayer.
Al Tayer highlighted the projects carried out by the UAE Water Aid Foundation, which works to provide potable water to the needy, the disadvantaged, and those who are in distress around the world. It provides them with the basics of a decent life and contributes to finding permanent and sustainable solutions to water scarcity around the world. This is done using the latest technologies, desalinating water using solar power, and providing new and innovative technological solutions for communities that suffer from scarcity and pollution of drinking water.
Al Tayer invited encouraged French companies to participate in the international USD 1 million prize launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to find permanent solutions to the problem of water scarcity around the world.
HE Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), talked about the company’s achievements in district cooling in Dubai.
Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at DEWA talked about the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050. He also highlighted the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site renewable energy project in the world, which will generate 5,000MW of clean energy by 2030, its Innovation Centre, and its Research and Development Centre. He also highlighted the Hassyan clean coal energy project based on the Independent Power Producer model (IPP), DEWA’s smart initiatives, including Shams Dubai to install photovoltaic panels on rooftops to produce energy, the smart grid, energy demand-side projects, and a number of other projects and initiatives.
Dr. Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources at DEWA, gave a presentation about the Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX 2016), highlighting the Solar Show that will be organised during the exhibition. He encouraged French companies to participate in WETEX 2016. French companies demonstrated their interest in the event.
Jens Nielsen, CEO of World Climate Ltd, talked about the World Green Economy Summit (WGES), which emphasises Dubai’s global position and leading role, and its quest to adopt promising opportunities and projects that have made it a role model both regionally and globally. He noted that WGES is a leading global platform that brings together world most prominent leaders in green economy.
Stephane Le Gentil, CEO of Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad ESCO), briefed attendees on the energy demand-side management strategy, and the project to improve energy efficiency in buildings and retrofitting over 30,000 buildings in Dubai.
Cyril Carabot, Secretary General of SER, talked about the shared projects with the UAE and Dubai, especially in renewable energy.
The meeting was attended by HE Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi, Secretary General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and Khawla Al Mehairi, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications at DEWA. The meeting also discussed government strategies for green industries, smart grids, renewable energies, water smart technologies, and energy efficiency, among other topics. The French expressed their interest in participating in these projects.
