DEWA participates in selection of first group of emerging energy companies in Free Electrons programme at San Francisco
As part of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)'s efforts to promote innovation and invention in the energy sector, DEWA participated in the selection of 12 start-ups from around the world to join the Free Electrons programme in San Francisco, USA. Free Electrons is an international business accelerator, which provides an integrated framework for strengthening international cooperation between major service providers and emerging energy companies in order to find effective solutions to meet the world's energy needs in the future.
The programme sets the framework for cooperation between 8 leading global utilities and 25 of the largest clean energy accelerators in the world. The event was attended by Mr. Ammar Al Mazrouei, Acting Vice President – Senior Manager of Creativity and Innovation at DEWA; Ahmad Balarti, Acting Vice President – Senior Manager of Smart Services; Shaima Al Awadhi, Director of Business Process Improvement and Director of Dubai Future Accelerators Programme at DEWA; and Dr. Pedro Banda, Director of R&D at DEWA.
The programme received more than 450 applications from around 51 countries around the world. 30 were shortlisted for the final evaluation phase, which finalised the 12 companies. The ideas include effective solutions to meet the world's future energy needs in energy management, renewable and clean energy, energy efficiency and electric vehicles, among others.
"Our participation in this important programme and its launch in the UAE earlier this year is part of our commitment to support the next generation of entrepreneurs in the energy and clean energy sector in line with the directives of our wise leadership that makes shaping the future at the top of its priorities. Through the building of an integrated, forward-looking and future economic model in Dubai, we are confident of taking progressive steps towards our goal of becoming a leading global destination for the sustainable future, by fostering innovation, supporting innovators and building effective partnerships to implement innovative ideas and solutions, inspired by the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who urged us to adopt innovation as an institutional approach in the culture of the community and use science and knowledge to further develop individuals and institutions,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.
"We are very pleased with the global participation in the programme as the statistics show a remarkable geographical diversity, which reflects the increasing global trend of companies towards innovation in the fields of clean and renewable energy and sustainability. Free Electrons provides an integrated framework for enhancing international cooperation in supporting and encouraging innovation and finding effective solutions to meet future global energy needs, in line with the global trend towards digital transformation, carbon reduction and operational efficiency. The programme focuses on core themes including innovation tools and methodologies, financing strategies, business growth, leadership and institutional development," added Al Tayer.
“The 12 selected companies will be able to develop innovative technologies in the field of energy solutions, open channels of communication and extend direct cooperation with the world's leading energy institutions in partnership with three of the most important accelerators from San Francisco. Therefore, the world's largest clean-up power grid is an unprecedented opportunity for emerging energy companies to exchange information and knowledge and expand into new markets around the world, taking advantage of the best expertise available in the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia," noted Al Tayer.
Marwan Bin Haider, Executive Vice President of Innovation and the Future at DEWA said, "We are working to support innovation in the energy sector all over the world, especially renewable and clean energy, and have a head start to keep up with the latest technological developments, and launch initiatives and pilot programmes in these areas, and work on the development of business accelerators for clean energy in the world. Our participation in the Free Electrons programme will support research and development, to keep pace with the technological advancements through the establishment of incubators for the development of renewable energy technologies, to build up continuous knowledge of global experiences in the field of clean energy systems. "
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