Abu Dhabi: The World Future Energy Summit (WFES), the top global annual event for advancing renewable energy and clean technology, will return to Abu Dhabi from January 15 to 18. Part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the eleventh WFES will showcase and discuss solutions and innovations that will transform how energy is created, stored and consumed around the world, said a press release issued by the organisers on Sunday.

Taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, more than 30,000 visitors including investors, innovators, experts and policymakers from approximately 175 countries are expected to attend the summit, which is being hosted by Abu Dhabi Future Energy company, Masdar.

Mohammad Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said: “The World Future Energy Summit is playing a critical role in maintaining the forward momentum the renewables sector has witnessed in recent years, providing a platform for high-level debate and collaboration.”

“In January, government and industry leaders will once again convene in Abu Dhabi, placing the UAE and the region at the heart of the global energy transformation,” he said.

UAE authorities and industry leaders including the Ministry of Energy, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA), Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA), Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, Emirates Global Aluminium and Emirates Nuclear Energy Company will participate alongside global businesses including GE, TOTAL and Siemens.

Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, said: “At WFES, we will highlight our efforts in developing major renewable energy projects, especially the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is the largest single-site solar power project in the world, with total investments of Dh50 billion and a production capacity of 5,000MW by 2030. These efforts support the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to transform Dubai into a global hub for clean energy and green economy, and generate 75 per cent of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy sources by 2050,” he said.

Dr Saif Saleh Al Sayari, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA), said the WFES plays a vital role each year by enabling knowledge sharing about the latest solutions so they can quickly be adopted across the industry.

Green power

WFES 2018 comes as the UAE and Middle East take action to significantly increase the role of renewable energy in the energy mix, while helping to mitigate climate change.

The “UAE Energy Plan 2050”, which was announced in January 2017, estimates that the transition to green energy will save Dh700 billion ($191 billion) by 2050.

Growing demand for renewable energy is also providing an economic boost for the Middle East and North Africa. By 2020, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has forecast that the MENA region is set to attract $35 billion in renewable energy investment.

WFES will include three exhibitions covering solar power, energy efficiency and energy storage/batteries.

These events will also feature a discussion on a trend affecting all energy markets − digitalisation and disruptive technologies, including electric cars and “smart cities”. A zone for sustainable transport will showcase clean energy vehicles and host ‘The Mobility Conference’ about the future of mobility (in transport and technology), and the creation of smart and sustainable societies.

Cleantech start-ups

Clean technologies will also be discussed at the Climate Innovation Exchange (CLIX) event during WFES 2018.

Hosted by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, CLIX has attracted more than 250 start-ups from around the world interested in pitching their climate change solutions to investors during the event, with the aim of raising funding for their businesses.

For more information and to register for WFES 2018, visit: https://www.worldfutureenergysummit.com

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