21st WETEX & 4th Dubai Solar Show begins with 2,350 exhibitors from 55 nations

The 21^st Water, Energy and Environment Technology Exhibition (WETEX) begins today (Monday 21 October 2019), under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and President of DEWA. The exhibition coincides with the fourth Dubai Solar Show, the region's largest solar power exhibition. Both exhibitions will take place during Green Week, from 21 to 23 October 2019, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“Thanks to the guidance and support of our wise leadership, represented by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE; and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, WETEX today has become an important international exhibition that specialises in technology, energy, and water; reinforcing the UAE's leading role in the clean and renewable energy sector. It supports the UAE’s strategies and investments in the diversification of energy, particularly in solar power to achieve the UAE Centennial 2071 and the UAE Vision 2021 to ensure better lives and an even more prosperous future for generations to come,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA and Founder and Chairman of WETEX.

Al Tayer said that the exhibition continues to expand and flourish year after year, reinforcing Dubai's position and competitiveness and supporting its leading position as a global centre for green economy, while also supporting the Dubai Plan 2021 and the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to provide 75% of Dubai's total power capacity from clean energy by 2050.

“The exhibition serves as an ideal platform to support local and global efforts achieve a balance between development and the environment and to consolidate economic, social and environmental sustainability. WETEX is a leading global platform that highlights the link between sustainability and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the impact of disruptive technologies, digital transformation, AI, and R&D for the production of clean energy and water. This helps to transform the Emirate into a global hub for clean energy and green economy,” said Al Tayer.

WETEX and the Dubai Solar Show act as an integrated platform for companies and organisations working in these key sectors to promote their products, services and innovative technologies. Their teams can meet decision-makers, investors, buyers and interested parties from around the world to make deals, build partnerships, review the latest technologies in these sectors, learn about current and future projects and market needs, and explore opportunities to take part in solar power projects and programmes in the region.

WETEX’s evolution since 1999

Over 20 years, DEWA has successfully developed WETEX to become the largest and most important specialised exhibition in the region in water, energy and environment. It has become a major event in Dubai and a significant platform that brings together exhibitors and visitors with experts, specialists, decision-makers and investors in these sectors to take advantage of the opportunities it offers.

WETEX has developed rapidly since its launch in 1999 as an exhibition of water management technologies. The energy sector was added in 2001. In 2004, DEWA included environmental and waste management, green buildings, and carbon dioxide reduction solutions in 2008. In 2012, oil and gas were added. In 2016, Dubai Solar Show was launched as the biggest solar exhibition in the region.

Since its launch 20 years ago, the number of exhibitors at WETEX has risen from 4 to 2,350 in 2019. This year, 55 nations are taking part compared with two when it started. The 20th WETEX and the 3^rd Dubai Solar Show last year turned out to be a huge success and attracted numerous exhibitors, visitors, participants and government entities. The exhibitions last year spread over 78,413 square metres with 2,100 exhibitors from 53 countries and over 35,000 visitors from around the world. This year’s WETEX and Dubai Solar Show are expected to attract more visitors as the two exhibitions have grown to cover an area of 85,000 square metres, featuring 18 international pavilions. Russia, Japan, Singapore, Brazil, Chile, Ireland, and Poland will have an official presence for the first time this year.

What’s new in 2019

International Desalination Association (IDA) Conference

In conjunction with WETEX 2019, DEWA is hosting the world conference of the International Desalination Association (IDA), which is returning to Dubai after 10 years after a highly-successful conference in Dubai in 2009. The conference has the theme ‘Crossroads to Sustainability,’ and is set to play a pivotal role in promoting awareness about the need to adopt leading-edge water technology innovations in modern cities such as Dubai. The water sector is very large in Dubai, which is shown by its strong commitment and active participation in fostering joint ventures and building a culture of innovation in the water sector.

Gas & Oil Technology Showcase & Conference (Gotech)

The third Gas & Oil Technology Showcase & Conference (Gotech) will be organised by Dragon Oil, the investment arm of ENOC's oil and gas sector. Gotech is a vital platform to review the latest developments and trends in the oil and gas sector with a focus on technology adoption and innovation with the broad participation of government institutions, companies, professional associations and others. The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) will run two major parallel technical sessions during the conference, and this year sees the launch of the Excellence Centre, which targets universities and academic institutions and is expected to welcome over 150 students.

Dubai Green Zone

WETEX 2019 will feature the Dubai Green Zone, to create a unified platform to enable start-ups in the UAE and around the world to explore the future of green energy based on innovation and technology, in addition to taking advantage of the most successful experiences and the best global experiences in energy and water. This will enable the country's leadership to adopt and keep pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution and replacement technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, energy storage, energy efficiency, blockchain technology, and big data. WETEX will play a key role in introducing the green zone concept to global institutions and international research organisation to explore the possibility of establishing a regional headquarters in the Dubai Green Zone.

Green Week at DICEC & DEWA offices

For the sixth consecutive year, DEWA is organising 'Green Week,' an annual environmental event that brings together some of the region's most influential events from 17—24 October 2019. This will include a range of programmes and initiatives to educate the public about the issues surrounding the environment and sustainability, the importance of a sustainable lifestyle. It will also show the next generations the importance of rationalising their use of electricity and water and preserving natural resources; encouraging them to devise new solutions that assist the transformation towards a green economy.

Green Week 2019 features workshops, educational events and initiatives for all members of the community to raise awareness about the importance of green practices, with youth seminars and lectures presented by international experts; voluntary awareness campaigns; sessions especially for People of Determination; meetings for entrepreneurs with the public and private sectors, and events and competitions in shopping centres and DEWA’s social media websites, presenting opportunities to win valuable prizes.

4^th Dubai Solar Show attracts many visitors

With the rapid growth of the region's solar power sector and building on the success of the first three Dubai Solar Shows, DEWA is organising the 4^th exhibition, which will span approximately 14,000 square metres. It brings together the world's leading solar power companies to showcase their latest products, services and innovative technologies that reduce costs, such as smart lighting. The exhibition will highlight the latest innovations in the solar power, particularly solar water desalination and treatment. It will also show the region's largest projects by providing a unique platform to build partnerships with all government and private sectors to develop innovative solutions. The exhibition offers exclusive benefits to participants, such as free registration of companies and products at DEWA, letters of recommendation on products showcased at the exhibition, and exclusive field visits to the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.

Latest energy, water and environment technologies at WETEX 2019

WETEX 2019 will have on display the latest energy technologies and equipment in various areas. These include turbines, compressors, motors, calibration equipment and gauges, cathode protection systems, gas insulated switchgear, safety equipment and personal protection equipment, lighting fixtures, innovative and solar lighting solutions, industrial production automation technologies, and software for oil and gas industry.

This year’s WETEX will bring together the most prominent companies in the water sectors to show their innovative products and solutions such as water desalination and treatment plants, water SCADA software, dewatering equipment, waterproofing products, fibre glass products, pipeline coating systems, leak detection equipment, sealants, and adhesives.

New technologies and promising opportunities

DEWA has invited a wider subsector of manufacturers, service providers and technology companies this year to ensure a substantial increase in the quality of products and technologies offered to reach a wider segment of business visitors. WETEX 2019 focuses on sustainability, artificial intelligence, digitisation, disruptive technologies, grids, smart cities and the future of the world's energy sector, as well as energy and water conservation, environmental protection, waste management, green buildings, reducing carbon emissions, conserving natural resources, and enhancing environmental security and stimulating scientific innovation in energy.

DEWA’s stand at WETEX 2019

DEWA, at its stand at Zabeel Hall, will display its achievements and global performance indicators, in addition to promising projects in energy diversification, most notably the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park; and DEWA’s Research and Development Centre.

DEWA will also present its smart initiatives that support Smart Dubai’s goals. The Shams Dubai initiative connects solar photovoltaic panels in homes and buildings to DEWA's network. The Green Charger initiative provides electric vehicle charging stations. DEWA also will present its world-class digital transformation innovations and techniques, and how its developing its operations. This includes the Smart Grid Plant; Green Hydrogen Project; Al Shera’a Building; Hatta Hydroelectric Power Plant; Sea Water Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant and Phase 3 of K-Station in Jebel Ali; storage of desalinated water in groundwater basins; the Al Namoos Initiative; the Global Universities Competition for Solar Home Design (Solar Decathlon Middle East); Smart Marafeq Service; Smart Response Service; DEWA’s virtual employee Rammas; the future customer happiness centre; Afkari, Ebtikari, and the DEWA Store.

Innovation Hall

The Innovation Hall at WETEX 2019 will host over 20 universities from the UAE and from around the world. The hall supports university students by displaying their ideas and innovations in subjects such as sustainability, energy, water, renewable energy, gas, oil, technology, education, health and space sciences, while also enabling them to explore new opportunities, to prepare them to instil a culture of sustainability in society, innovate and achieve leadership.

By providing electronic kiosks for university students, we offer new specialised educational materials, share experiences and challenges, and honour Emirati innovators and the most talented innovators from around the world. The hall encourages knowledge sharing to improve Emirati skills, and highlights the creative and innovative minds of People of Determination as well as their innovations and ideas.

The hall aims to enhance the participation of university students to develop their knowledge and to enable them to learn about the latest developments in energy, water and environment. Students will also benefit from taking part in events, competitions and seminars offered by participating international companies and sponsors to show the latest innovations that serve smart cities and ensure a happy life. Based on its belief in stimulating innovation and creating an environment that fosters it in these vital areas, DEWA, in cooperation with the educational sector in the UAE, especially UAE universities, is driving innovation and creativity through research, studies and pioneering initiatives.

The participation of universities in WETEX 2019 strengthens its considerable position as one of the leading specialised events in the world in water, energy, environment, oil and gas, renewable and clean energy. The Innovation Hall also includes a start-up corner that hosts 12 companies to showcase their latest technologies in energy, water and environmental technology, alongside major international companies such as Samsung, SAP, Microsoft and Sharp. The presence of these start-ups under one roof with leading government and private entities provides an opportunity to get acquainted with the latest innovations, solutions and technologies to contribute to the development of their business.

B2B meetings

DEWA provides a complimentary business-to-business (B2B) service to facilitate business meetings. This provides sponsors, exhibitors and visitors with an ideal business environment to hold meetings during WETEX. It also streamlines communication between sponsors, exhibitors and interested visitors and provides them with the opportunity to expand their business, increase awareness of their companies and build business networks. Available throughout the three-day event, this special service will facilitate individual meetings with key players and decision-makers from exhibitors and participants, providing them with opportunities to explore and expand their business to benefit all parties, as well as open new channels to discuss leading global best practices in sustainability. During WETEX 2018, around 400 business meetings will be held as part of the complimentary B2B service.

Activities, seminars and discussions

WETEX will feature many activities including seminars, discussion panels and workshops. The exhibition offers visitors, exhibitors and interested parties the opportunity to take advantage of the busy agenda. They can meet experts and specialists from around the world to discuss developments and expansion in solar power as well as opportunities in the region, which could help sustainable development and ensure brighter future.

DEWA has invited the public, school and university students to visit WETEX 2019 and Dubai Solar Show 2019 to learn about the latest developments and technologies in the water, traditional and renewable energy and environment sectors, and participate in various seminars and discussion sessions that are being hosted in conjunction with the two exhibitions.

6th World Green Economy Summit

DEWA is organising the 6th World Green Economy Summit (WGES) in collaboration with World Green Economy Organization (WGEO). It has the theme ‘Innovative Technologies for a Sustainable Economy’ and will focus on three key pillars: Sustainable Development Mechanisms; International Cooperation to support the Green Economy System; and Adoption of Green Innovative Solutions. The summit will support Dubai’s efforts to become a global hub of green economy and sustainable development. The Emirate has considerable in this, making notable global achievements including a Platinum Rating in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for cities certification awarded by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), to become the first city in the Middle East and North Africa to receive this prestigious certification. Dubai also achieved a milestone by reducing the net carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 19% by the end of 2018, two years ahead of the target date set by the Carbon Abatement Strategy 2021 to reduce carbon emissions by 16% by 2021.

© Press Release 2019