DEWA to highlight potential of investments in clean energy projects with specialised companies and investors from public and private sectors

Investing in clean energy will top the agenda of discussions during the 18th Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX 2016) which will be organised under the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and President of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.

DEWA, organisers of the event to be held on 4-6 October, announced that the 18th WETEX 2016 is expected to see over 23,000 visitors and the participation of over 1,900 companies from around the globe. The key objective of the exhibition is to show the latest and major technologies and international practices of clean and renewable energy to save the environment for generations to come and preserve their right to live in a clean, healthy, and safe environment and a happy community.

“Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, aims to provide 7% of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy sources by 2020, 25% by 2030, and 75% by 2050. Organising WETEX under the umbrella of Green Week and in conjunction with the inaugural Dubai Solar Show will have an instrumental role in boosting investment in clean energy and raising its returns on economy and environment. We will also benefit from the position of WETEX as an international platform to highlight ideal investment solutions in this industry and its major investment opportunities in Dubai,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.

“UAE Vision 2021 and the Dubai Plan 2021 have set the roadmap that includes ambitious initiatives and development projects, which clearly define government strategies, most importantly in sustainable development. DEWA spares no efforts to cooperate with global players to achieve this vision and realise the sustainable development process in Dubai,” Al Tayer added.

“In a record time, Dubai has emerged as a global model that leads by example in clean energy with all sectors working to fulfil their role in sustainable development. The next WETEX will see the largest participation in clean and renewable energy projects, where participants and visitors can be updated about the status of current and future projects for Dubai,” Al Tayer explained.

During the exhibition, DEWA's stand will feature major renewable energy projects regionally and globally. These projects include the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is the largest single-site project to generate electricity from solar energy in the world, with a planned capacity of 5,000 megawatts (MW) by 2030, and total investment of USD13.6 billion (AED 50 billion) to save approximately 6.5 million tonnes per annum in emissions. Moreover, DEWA will show the potential of cooperation with specialised companies in energy performance contracts, and with suppliers of equipment and green technologies through DEWA's Etihad Energy Services Company (ESCO). Other pioneering initiatives that will be presented by DEWA this year are Shams Dubai, which allows customers to install photovoltaic panels on their rooftops to generate electricity from solar power and connect them to DEWA’s grid, the Green Charger initiative, and the Smart Applications via Smart Grids and Meters.

“The UAE assigns great importance to the diversification of its energy mix, and increasing the share of renewable and clean energy. In Dubai, we have adopted the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model to drive economic prosperity and increase investments in energy, in line with Dubai Government’s strategy to enhance sustainable economic development in the Emirate and build and establish strong partnerships with the private sector. Securing energy supply and using energy efficiently is the practical implementation of our environmental and sustainability goals in Dubai,” concluded Al Tayer.

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