Recently in the United Arab Emirates, UAE, the ‘National Integrated Energy Model’ was launched to support the UAE Energy Strategy to increase the contribution of clean energy into the country’s total energy mix to 50 per cent by 2050, a development which many see as a “major shift underway towards energy efficient water production, by way of reverse osmosis desalination.”
H.E. Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, CEO, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) further confirms this energy development and transition trajectory: “The utilities sector will play a significant and strategic role in tackling climate change through increasing electrification of the energy sector, and decarburization of power production. As part of the UAE’s transition to cleaner energy sources, the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant will generate up to 25% of the UAE’s electricity needs for the next 60 years ahead, with zero carbon emissions, offering a proven solution to climate change, and we look forward to sharing the UAE model with experts and policy makers at the World Utilities Congress in 2022 to identify viable solutions that ensure a reliable, sustainable grid to support economic and social growth.”
“Developing low carbon power and water” says Jasim Husain Thabet, Group CEO and MD of the event host – TAQA, “is not just a matter of doing good, but it is also good business. As we at TAQA embark on our own journey, we value our partners and are proud to be part of a sector that is fundamental to delivering a better tomorrow. This new global conference and exhibition will provide a great opportunity for the sector to showcase ideas, solutions and best practice in front of an audience that matters.”
“Our strategic recommendations for the future show that increasing investments in renewable energy projects will allow us to make a very significant impact in future-proofing the energy sector and prioritizing renewable production technologies”, H.E. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure was quoted to have said.
“A rapid transformation”, says Eng. Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, DoE “is taking place in Abu Dhabi’s water and power sector and it is shaped by major trends of profound shifts to clean and renewable energy, technological advances, energy efficiency, and demand management. Such advances will require more flexible regulatory frameworks, advanced smart grid management, more integrated resource management systems and an adaptive network to drive sustainable development and an efficient energy transition. With this in mind, we view the World Utilities Congress as an important event that brings local and international expertise together to focus on delivering integrated transformation for the water and power utilities and we look forward to a successful inaugural edition in 2022.”
The World Utilities Congress provides ample opportunities for stakeholders in the power and water industries worldwide to engage in brainstorming sessions that are expected to deal decisively with issues of technologies with the capacity to impact positively challenges arising from future power and water demands. It will set the direction, as well as provide proactive measures for decarburization, curbing carbon emissions and attracting the long-term capital investment needed for a sustainable future. Because the challenge to decarbonize is immense and requires sector leaders to share knowledge and most importantly work together, coming six months after COP26 in Scotland, demonstrates commitment and direction of the entire organizational management of the World Utilities Congress which has also expressed readiness to provide platform to help the industry reflect on the next phase moving forward.
Organized by dmg events, the Congress will be an in-person event taking place in Abu Dhabi from May 9th through to 11th 2022. It will be supported by the UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC).
And the event host – TAQA, who is also at the centre of the UAE’s efforts having recently announced its 2030 strategy for sustainable and profitable growth is setting out to become a champion of low carbon power and water for Abu Dhabi, leveraging the UAE’s strong global relationships to further the growth of its power and water portfolio at home and internationally.
President, dmg events, organizer of the World Utilities Congress Christopher Hudson said: “The World Utilities Congress will enable the energy and utilities sector to forge new strategic partnerships that will help shape the future of the global utilities industry. Through the exhibition, the energy industry will be enabled to showcase the latest technologies, products services and solution to support the drive to net zero.
We are delighted to have been chosen to pioneer the World Utilities Congress, and are committed to ensuring that it will be a dynamic event that will invoke innovation, creativity and strategic progress across the industry.”
