Dubai to host first Solar Decathlon in the Middle East to design smart solar-powered buildings

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Dubai, UAE, 17 June 2015

Dubai will host the international university Solar Decathlon, an international competition by the United States Department of Energy to design smart solar-powered buildings. This is the first time the competition will be held in the Middle East. Universities from around the world will take part in the programme that challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and operate energy-efficient houses. The new achievement underlines the global position of the UAE and its leading regional role. The US Department of Energy has announced that Dubai is joining the competition in 2018 and will host the second Decathlon in 2020 in conjunction with Expo 2020.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and MD&CEO of Dubai Electricity And Water Authority (DEWA), and HE Robert Waller, US Consul General to Dubai, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 17 June 2015, to support development efforts of the competition as a first step to start preparations for organising it in Dubai.

The MoU signing was attended by Richard King, Director of the Solar Decathlon at the US Department of Energy, Judith Baker, Political Economic Officer at the US Consulate in Dubai, Nasir Abbasi, FCS at the US Consulate in Dubai, David Duerden, Press Officer at the American Embassy in Abu Dhabi, HE Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi, Secretary General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy in Dubai, Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President for Strategy and Business Development at DEWA, Dr. Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources at DEWA, Khawla Al Mehairi, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications at DEWA, and a number of senior officials from the Supreme Council of Energy and DEWA.

"The step supports DEWA's commitment to implement the Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the Dubai Plan 2021. Hosting the Solar Decathlon is also a practical implementation of the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 to diversify energy sources and increase the percentage of renewable energy in Dubai's energy mix to 15% by 2030," said Al Tayer.

"This new achievement enhances the UAE competitiveness in line with the UAE Vision 2021 to make the UAE one of the best countries in the world by 2021. It supports Dubai's efforts to adopt creativity and innovation as a future approach, and develop the skills of young people. It is a continuation of Dubai's green growth approach, which was embodied by the World Green Economy Summit organised in Dubai, and highlighted the Emirate's efforts and commitment to its goals to become a global hub for Green Economy. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is a shining example of Dubai's green economy approach and will increase its capacity to 3,000MW by 2030 and include a research and development centre, and a solar testing facility," added Al Tayer.

"DEWA continues to make every effort to protect our environment and save our resources by keeping pace with international changes and developments in different environmental fields to achieve the environmental objectives of our wise leadership and fulfil the promise of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to host the best Expo the world has ever seen. DEWA is working hard to achieve this by focusing on preparing a distinguished infrastructure for energy that meets all the requirements of Dubai's sustainable development," noted Al Tayer.

"To support Dubai's position as a global role model in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainability, creativity and innovation, and attracting investment opportunities in renewable energy and energy efficiency, we organise this competition, which is a promising opportunity to motivate university students and encourage them to innovate and use their creativity in designing efficient and self-sufficient buildings, contributing to national and regional sustainable growth," concluded Al Tayer.

"President Obama's Climate Action Plan calls on the United States to work with other nations to lead the world to a cleaner, more prosperous future. By working together with partners like Dubai, we can increase global energy security and confront the challenges of a changing climate," said Waller.

"Building on successful international Solar Decathlons in Europe, China and Latin America and the Caribbean, the US Energy Department looks forward to Solar Decathlon Middle East--supporting a new generation of engineers, architects, and energy entrepreneurs in the Gulf Cooperation Council region while driving clean energy innovation and sustainable development worldwide," added Waller.

The Solar Decathlon is an award-winning programme that challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.

The first US Solar Decathlon was held in 2002, and the competition has since occurred every two years in the United States. The next US competition will be held in Irvine, California, in the Autumn of 2015. Since 2010, the Energy Department has helped launch four international Solar Decathlon competitions. Solar Decathlon Europe 2010 and 2012 was held in Madrid, Spain. Solar Decathlon 2013 was held in Datong, China. Solar Decathlon Europe 2014 was held in Versailles, France.

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For more information, please contact:
Ribal Dayekh or Noora Khoory
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
+9714 307 2006 or 515 1784
ribal.dayekh@dewa.gov.ae
noora.khoory@dewa.gov.ae

Mutasem Shadid or Mazen Alebrahem
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
+9714 450 7675 or 450 7613
Mutasem.shadid@bm.com
Mazen.Alebrahem@bm.com