Wetex 2020: Dubai goes green

While speaking at the inauguration of the virtual edition of the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (Wetex) 2020 on Monday, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and President of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), said the exhibition highlights the latest solutions and innovative technologies in water, clean energy, environment, oil and gas sectors.

“The first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region, this carbon-neutral edition of the exhibition will provide an exceptional experience for both exhibitors and visitors, as well as meeting opportunities between exhibitors and decision-makers. It will also feature seminars and sessions which will be attended by officials, experts and influential figures in the green economy, smart cities and sustainability. We hope that the exhibition will see successful participations, meetings, recommendations and practical proposals to support the sustainable development locally and globally,” said Sheikh Hamdan.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dewa and chairman of Wetex and Dubai Solar Show, said that organising Wetex, despite the challenges of Covid-19, emphasises Dubai's ability to convert challenges into opportunities. It also underlines Dewa’s state-of-the-art digital infrastructure, which continues to provide its services according to the highest standards of availability, reliability and efficiency.

Faisal Rashid, senior director for demand side management at Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, said the road map that has been devised for the emirate is to work in coordination with private sector to transform the energy and green job markets.

“We have basically depended on the fossil fuel. We are slowly shifting away from it, especially for power generation. We plan to decarbonise our energy mix. We plan to have energy and water consumption savings of 30 per cent by 2030. We also plan to increase solar energy share to 25 per cent by 2030 and clean energy share to 75 per cent by 2050,” he said.

Dubai has saved Dh6.6 billion in operational cost and capital investment since 2011 and will continue investing for the benefit of society and economy. By end of 2019, Dubai saved 5.3 billion kilowatt of power, which is reduction of 11.3 per cent, and 9.6 billion of imperial gallons of water, which amounts to reduction of 7.7 per cent.

“As part of Dubai’s green and smart strategy, the emirate will increase recycled water use by 55 per cent, reduce desalinated water demand by one-third and reduce groundwater use by 30 per cent to ensure resilient and balance supply of water. Dubai will also invest over Dh1.8 billion in additional capex for desalination capacity as part of its Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) as well as work on the improvement of depletion of groundwater, network leakage and loss of recycled water,” he said during a presentation.

With regard to environment-friendly vehicles, he said the emirate’s objective is to increase penetration of hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs).

“Dubai has a target to have 10 per cent of hybrid/EV vehicles between 2020 to 2024, 20 per cent between 2025 to 2029 and 30 per cent beyond 2030. While projected target for all of Dubai is to have two per cent penetration of hybrid/EV by 2020 and 10 per cent penetration of hybrid by 2030,” Rashid added.

“It is important for the government to lead by example and create market for EVs and hybrids. The number of registered hybrids/EVs in Dubai have increased from 5,222 in 2018 to 6,616 in 2019. As of today, Dubai has over 7,000 EVs and hybrids. In terms of share of Dubai government fleet, it has increased from 5.2 per cent in 2018 to 7.2 per cent in 2019 and we are close to eight per cent share and target is to reach 10 per cent by 2020,” he added.