DEWA receives visiting delegation from Harvard

Thursday 04 February 2016

Dubai - MENA Herald: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) received a delegation from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government at their Sustainable Building in Al Quoz. The delegation included 32 graduates from 17 countries,. The visit is part of DEWA’s efforts to showcase current and future sustainable development projects and initiatives to international educational institutes, while adhering to the strategy to introduce students to Dubai’s energy sector, in support of the vision of the wise leadership to transform the Emirate into a smart, integrated city, by preserving national energy resources and reducing the nation’s carbon footprint to achieve sustainable development, for generations to come.
The Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government’s visit to DEWA’s Sustainable Building was organised by the UAE Embassy in Washington DC and is the result of a partnership between the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court and the school. The field visit is focused on Sustainable Energy and brings graduate students with experience in energy to the UAE, to study the country’s progress in the sector.
The school’s delegation was received by Dr. Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources at DEWA, Moza Al Akraf, CIO of DEWA, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Vice President of Civil Projects Engineering & Water Maintenance, Mohammed Abdul Kareem Al Shamsi, Senior Manager of Climate Change & Sustainability, and other representatives from Dubai Smart Government and the Smart Dubai Government Establishment.
“To become a sustainable innovative world-class utility, DEWA avidly cooperates with some of the top universities and educational institutions from around the world, contributing to Dubai’s role as a world leader for sustainability and developing a knowledge-based economy,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.
“DEWA is committed to increasing dependence on renewable energy resources and diversifying the energy mix within the Emirate. DEWA has surpassed renewable energy targets announced last year. In November 2015, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, to provide 7% of Dubai’s energy from clean sources by 2020, 25% by 2030 and 75% by 2050. Dubai is the only city in the Middle East and North Africa to launch such a strategy, with specific targets and deadlines that outline the future of energy in Dubai until 2050,” he said.
Al Tayer noted that energy is a major element in the social and economic development of all countries, and that the international transition towards clean energy has only positive environmental, social, and economic effects.
Al Tayer also discussed the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is the largest single-site solar project in the world, based on the Independent Power Producer model. It will produce 5,000MW by 2030.
DEWA gives priority to Research & Development, the Innovation Centre features a group of research and development centres that specialise in clean energy technologies, drone research, 3D-printing technology, and solar energy based desalination, with a total investment of AED 500 million.
During the delegation’s visit, they were shown around DEWA’s Sustainable Building, which is located in Al Quoz and is the largest government building in the world to secure an LEED Platinum rating for green buildings. The delegation was also introduced to DEWA’s 3 smart initiatives that were launched in support of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s initiative to transform Dubai into the world’s smartest city. DEWA’s three initiatives are Shams Dubai, which connects solar energy to buildings to encourage building owners to install photovoltaic solar panels to generate electricity. The photovoltaic solar system will be connected to DEWA’s grid. The electricity will be used onsite and the surplus exported to DEWA's grid.
The second initiative, Smart Applications and Meters, includes smart applications that use smart meters and grids that contribute to fast-service connection, fast response, and rationalise energy use. The third initiative, the Green Charger, is to establish the infrastructure to build electric vehicle charging stations.
Towards the end of their visit, the delegation thanked DEWA’s officials for their hospitality.

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