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| UAE will invest $163 billion in clean and renewable energy over the next decade |
The 14th World Future Energy Summit kicked off yesterday at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC). The three-day summit brought together the world's foremost authorities on energy and sustainability and showcased a range of briefings and promising results to accelerate the circular economy and clean energy adoption at the regional and global levels.
The summit provides an inspiring platform covering all aspects of sustainable development through six exhibitions and five dedicated forums, each of which addresses the main and current challenges facing the energy sector and includes many other influential sectors.
A series of exhibitions and forums during the leading event in the Middle East in the field of future energy and sustainable development on various topics such as energy, water, sustainable waste management, solar energy, smart cities, climate and the environment. The UAE is also planning for September 11 as part of the preparations to host the United Nations Change Conference Climate COP28.
The UAE will invest $163 billion in clean and renewable energy over the next decade:
The Solar and Clean Energy Exhibition and Forum will discuss the UAE's plans to invest $163 billion in renewable resources over the next decade.
His Excellency Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, delivered a keynote speech at the opening of the Solar Energy Exhibition and Forum and Clean Energy, describing the UAE’s journey towards clean energy since 2007. He spoke about the country’s continuous commitment and continuous efforts to diversify its energy sources.
Eng. Sharif Al Olama said that the UAE has invested more than $40 billion in clean energy over the past 15 years and plans to invest another $160 billion in clean and renewable energy over the next decade. You are at the forefront of energy transition efforts, he said. In the region, we are proud to be one of the first parties in the region to ratify the Paris Agreement, demonstrating our commitment to a sustainable, low-carbon energy economy. We are also determined to take the approach of energy diversification. I am pleased to announce an updated energy diversification strategy that reflects the current landscape of the sector. »
Increasing clean energy generation capacity:
Current trends point to a potential 500% increase in clean energy capacity, including solar and nuclear, this decade, and the UAE has what it takes to support this growth.
Nawal Al-Hinai, Director of the Future Energy Department at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, said in a seminar titled “Investing in the Energy Transition” that the UAE has already invested $50 billion in renewable energy abroad and is now planning to do that number. to double. .
The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant is the cornerstone of the UAE's renewable energy programme. When fully operational, it will generate 5.6 GW of clean energy 24/7 and meet approximately 25% of the UAE's electricity needs. Carbon Free Source, Less Carbon Emissions Releasing up to 21 million tons of carbon emissions each year, down from 3.2 million cars last year, representing 80% of the cars on UAE roads.
Reliance on reverse osmosis technology for desalination of sea water:
At the summit, the Water Forum highlighted the potential to supply up to 90% of Abu Dhabi's water supply by 2030 through intensive reverse osmosis technology and low-carbon water.
In this regard, Bruce Smith, Executive Director of Strategy and Planning at the Emirates Hydropower Company, a leading company in the field of water planning, procurement and facilities in Abu Dhabi, said that reverse osmosis technology effectively supports the UAE's strategy and achieves the combination of cost and energy. Potential savings and sustainable development Sustainability and security combine to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
Describing reverse osmosis as the unsung hero of desalination, Smith commented, “The new reverse osmosis technology helps reduce carbon emissions because it is energy efficient and runs on low-carbon electricity, not 'natural gas.
Speaking to the Water Forum delegates, Smith said: “With increasing reliance on nuclear and solar power, reverse osmosis-based desalination will help improve the system's ability to operate safely and efficiently.
Mr. Smith's comments come as EWEC continues to evaluate bids for the technical and commercial aspects of its new IWP Shuweihat 4 project, which is being developed by Acciona, Engie and GS Anima. The winning bid is expected to be announced at the end of March and the plant will start operating in the third quarter of 2025.
Specifically, the project will use low-carbon reverse osmosis technology to produce approximately 70 million gallons of drinking water per day, which is equivalent to 318,225 cubic meters per day, thus improving the security of supply in the Al Dhafra region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. In addition to its role in improving supply and apart from its key role in the field of reverse osmosis, it has also achieved results by investing in competitive reverse osmosis technology.
Put your faith in hydrogen fuel cell technology
The World Future Energy Summit 2023 will launch the first green innovation center for hydrogen, showcasing innovative solutions to accelerate dependence on hydrogen and support the transformation of the energy sector in the region and the world.
The center brings together a diverse group of innovators from South Africa, Australia, the UK, the US and Spain to provide solutions on green hydrogen use, financing and production methods, as well as other relevant advice.
The US company AlliPower, one of the pioneers of the Green Hydrogen Center, is expected to introduce its hydrogen fuel cell technology platform to the UAE and Saudi Arabia markets in early 2024 after talks to sign a potential partnership held at the summit.
AlliPower CEO Alfred Walt confirmed that he is working with the UAE and Saudi Arabia after reviewing the three-phase hydrogen production process, the company's hydrogen platform, and the hydrogen infrastructure needed to develop future fuels. Partners negotiate.
Walter said, “Signing these partnerships could enable infrastructure development by powering the infrastructure with hydrogen fuel cells, which in turn generate electricity through steam turbines that cause” a mixture of aluminum and sodium to produce an electrical reaction, with the release of heat and hydrogen without production. The CO2 summit has proven to be a game-changing platform for the Middle East, which we see as one of the most promising markets for green hydrogen and the need to invest in it.
The summit featured the most comprehensive knowledge exchange program and included more than 200 hours of professional content across a variety of forums and topics, including the Enoa Enact conference on January 17, sponsored by Energy, Water and Hydrogen, the Saudi NEOM project.
Lynn El Sebaei, President of the World Future Energy Summit and Managing Director of Rx Middle East, said: “The 14th World Future Energy Summit has attracted increasing interest from exhibitors and visitors thanks to its ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Gap: We had our first Climate and Environment Forum which was very interactive and as the UAE prepares to host COP 28 this year, leading energy companies are looking forward to the region.
Masdar will host the World Future Energy Summit as part of the activities of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which is a leading platform to support and enable global efforts to achieve and improve sustainable development.