DEWA showcases its initiatives and projects in its stand in Hall 6, number 5120 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). DEWA’s stand features the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and a number of organisations and companies under DEWA and the council, including Etihad ESCO, Mai Dubai, Empower, the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence, and the UAE Water Aid Foundation. The stand also features a number of DEWA’s smart initiatives including Shams Dubai, and Green Charger.
By its participation, DEWA confirms its commitment towards increasing the percentage of renewable energy sources in Dubai’s energy mix. Al Tayer noted that DEWA has surpassed the targets it announced last year to increase the percentage of renewable energy in Dubai’s energy mix. 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 (MENA) to launch such a strategy, with specific targets and deadlines that outlines the future of energy in Dubai until 2050.
“2015 witnessed significant developments in increasing dependence on renewable energy in Dubai and the UAE as a whole thanks to the wise vision of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who have realised the important role of renewable energy in achieving a balance between development and the environment to ensure the right of future generations to live in a clean, healthy, and safe environment. The wise leadership realises that investment in clean energy sources has positive effects on the long run. Today we have many projects in the UAE. Shams in Abu Dhabi and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai are both contributing to the UAE’s clean energy strategy,” said Al Tayer.
Al Tayer pointed that energy is an integral part of the social and economic development of all countries and that the transformation towards clean energy has positive environmental, social, and economic effects. He highlighted the importance of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is the largest single-site solar project in the world. It will produce 1,000MW by 2020 and 5,000MW by 2030, with total investment of AED 50 billion. It will reduce over 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. DEWA set a world record by obtaining the lowest price globally, at USD 5.4 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for the second phase, which will be operational in April 2017 using the Independent Power Produce (IPP) model. DEWA recently announced the 800MW third phase, which will be completed in 3 phases by 2020. Over 20 bidders were pre-qualified for this project, which shows the huge interest by the private sector to take part in these projects, which benefit all parties.
Al Tayer noted that the oil industry has been greatly influenced by the fluctuation in oil prices, and that billions of dollars are not being spent on energy because of lower margins and return on investments, making conventional energy less competitive and attractive for further investments, compared to clean energy which is a great opportunity for the future as demand keeps rising around the world. Oil prices and improved technology have helped increase the share of renewable energy in the energy mix. This make technology a key success factor to the transformation towards clean energy.
“In DEWA, under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, we have been empowered to pursue energy diversification and increase the share of renewable and clean energy within the mix. This stems from a vision that realises the importance of renewable and sustainable energy in protecting the environment, sustainability of natural resources, and creating a better future for everyone. DEWA invests heavily in innovation in renewable and clean energy. As His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said, “Every investment in the development of clean energy sources is at the same time an investment to protect the environment for future generations.”
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