Dubai Supreme Council of Energy Meets Austrian Energy Companies

The delegation headed by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) continued its meetings in Vienna, Austria. At the Austrian Chamber of Commerce headquarters, the delegation met a large number of Austrian energy companies. The meeting was attended by Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Richard Schenz, Vice-President of the Chamber, Richard Bandiera, Austrian Commerce Counsellor in the UAE, and representatives of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). The meeting was also attended by HE Ahmed Butti Al Muhairbi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Energy, Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, Dr. Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources, Abdul Nasser Abbas, Senior Director of Treasury at DEWA, Ivano Iannelli, CEO of the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence, and Ahmed Abdullah, Senior Manager of External Communications at DEWA. At the beginning of the meeting, President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber welcomed the delegation, highlighting the special relations between Austria and the UAE in all field. In his speech, Al Tayer welcome participation of Austrian companies in the projects that are implemented by the Dubai supreme Council of Energy and by DEWA, and the chance to enhance collaboration in the areas of energy, water, the environment, renewable energy, and energy-efficiency. “In line with the Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, we work to achieve excellence and sustainability and reach the best results. These efforts will help to achieve the Dubai Plan 2021 for a happy society and achieve the aspirations of citizens and residents,” said Al Tayer. Al Tayer highlighted the strategies of both the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and DEWA. He highlighted some of DEWA’s key projects such as expansion of the M-Station for electricity generation and water desalination, the Hassyan Clean-Coal Power Project, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, and the smart grid. He noted that over AED 2.6 billion have been allocated to support the electricity, water, and renewable energy infrastructure for the Expo 2020. Projects include production, transmission, distribution, and smart grid, for Dubai to host the best Expo the world has ever seen. Al Tayer noted that DEWA launched three smart initiatives that support the Smart Dubai initiative launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the smartest city in the world. The first initiative includes connecting solar energy to houses and buildings, and encouraging households and building owners to install photovoltaic solar panels to generate electricity, which can be consumed within the premises with the surplus to be exported to DEWA’s grid. The second initiative focuses on using smart applications through smart meters and grids. By introducing smart meters and applications, DEWA will provide various benefits and new applications to its customers. The third initiative includes establishing infrastructure and electric-vehicle charging stations in different parts of Dubai. Al Tayer discussed the available initiatives and investment opportunities that the projects provide. He invited Austrian companies to take part in them. He highlighted the growth in Dubai’s energy sector and the current and future opportunities for Austrian companies in the fields of electricity production, transmission, and distribution. The Austrian side expressed their interest to take part in DEWA’s projects. The Austrian Commercial Counsellor in the UAE talked about DEWA’s projects that support the UAE’s green economy. Al Muhairbi highlighted the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy to diversify the energy mix. He noted that the share of renewable energy in Dubai’s energy mix will reach 7% by 2020 and 15% by 2030. Salman gave a presentation about the investment projects and opportunities in Dubai, highlighting the work of energy-service companies and the demand-side management strategy. Dr. Al Akraf, who is also Chairman of the Sales and Logistics Committee of the Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX), gave a presentation on WETEX 2015, highlighting its milestones and achievements over the last 16 years. Austrian companies welcome his invitation to take part in WETEX 2015.