dewa-organises-workshop-with-saudi-exports-saudi-electricity-company-and-dubai-chamber

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has organised today a workshop with the Saudi Export Development Authority, Saudi Electricity Company and Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The session was held on the second day of Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment (WETEX 2015), which is organised under the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance, and President of DEWA. The workshop supports DEWA’s efforts to enhance collaboration with regional and global organisations. The workshop included presentations on Dubai’s current and future projects in electricity and water, the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, and procedures and regulations about establishing businesses in Dubai. HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA and Chairman and Founder of WETEX, delivered a welcome note. Then, HE Ahmed Al Hakbani, Secretary General of Saudi Export, gave a speech, where he thanked DEWA for inviting Saudi Export to participate in WETEX. He also talked about promoting cooperation between Saudi companies and DEWA. Dr. Saleh Al Oagi, Chairman of the Saudi Electricity Company, also delivered a speech on collaboration with DEWA. “Saudi-Emirati relations are as old as the Arabian Gulf region itself, and are deeply-rooted in history and geography. These strong relations are established on foundations laid down by the late Sheikh clean, healthy, and sustainable. The Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, announced by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, promotes the sustainable development of Dubai to become a role model in energy security and efficiency, and reduces energy demand by 30%,” noted Al Tayer. “DEWA enhances its cooperation with global organisations and companies, and exchanges experiences and best practices with them to achieve the objective of Dubai and the UAE for the shift towards a green economy. The World Green Economy Summit, which is held today and tomorrow and whose theme is ‘Global Partnerships for Sustainable Future’ and WETEX, which started yesterday and ends tomorrow, and whose theme is ‘At The Forefront of Sustainability,’ are an opportunity to share international best practices, and review the latest technologies in sustainable development and green economy. DEWA adopts international best standards and practices in environment and sustainability by using the latest technologies and best practices in the production, transmission, distribution, and use of energy and water. DEWA has launched three smart initiatives that support the Smart Dubai initiative. These will have an important role in achieving the sustainable development of Dubai and its shift towards a green economy. The first initiative, Shams Dubai, encourages households and building owners to install photovoltaic solar panels to generate electricity. The electricity produced is then used on the premises with the surplus exported to DEWA’s grid. The second initiative includes smart applications that use smart meters and grids. The third initiative, EV Green Charger, establishes the infrastructure for electric vehicle charging stations to encourage their use in Dubai,” added Al Tayer. “We hope this workshop will come out with the desired results and that it will be the start of a fruitful relationship and a series of forums and meetings that enhance the transition towards a green economy in the UAE and contribute to implementing strategic developmental projects. This supports the vision of our wise leadership and the Dubai Government Strategy to achieve the sustainable development of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates,” concluded Al Tayer. “To start with, I would like to thank DEWA for this invitation to participate in WETEX 2015 which is considered one of the key exhibitions in the region. We are delighted to meet you at WETEX, which serves as a key initiative to further the strategic relationship between DEWA and SEDA, which is a natural extension for the strong relationship between the two governments to map a promising economic future and boost mutual relationships in the fields of energy, water and environment,” said HE Ahmed Al Hakbani. “This meeting springs from the belief of SEDA in its key role of encouraging non-oil Saudi Exports and developing a more holistic and open approach tointernational markets and to compete globally as part of moves to explore new opportunities that reflect the quality of Saudi products.” “SEDA seeks to focus its efforts on finding quality opportunities for national manufacturing companies in the fields of technologies, including water, energy and environment in line with our belief in the quality of Saudi products for this sector. Despite a diversity of native products in the electricity sector, it has become very competitive in terms of quality and value addition. KSA exports products and lighting, electricity, and phone grids as well as HV Towers to transmit energy and communications and lighting and fiber glass electric insulators, distribution matrices, control panels, and a collection of products relevant to electricity generation,” added Al Hakbani. “The Emirate of Dubai is witnessing a cultural and industrial Renaissance and mega projects like Expo 2020 being undertaken is testament to that. Expo 2020 is by itself a strong motive for economic and cultural change, not only in the emirate but also in the UAE and neighbouring countries.” “Our meeting today provides an additional drive that can be a fundamental to other initiatives with other countries to tap these vital industrial sectors to contribute to the development of these industries. We in SEDA are very happy to be part of any initiative between our countries that can contribute to the exchange of benefits and expertise and furthering the bilateral economic ties.,” concluded Al Hakbani. At the workshop, Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Strategy & Business Development at DEWA, gave a presentation on Dubai’s current and future projects in electricity and water, and the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030. This was followed by presentations by Nasser Lootah, Executive Vice President of Generation, and Abdullah Obaidullah, Executive Vice President of Water & Civil on DEWA’s strategy in providing reliable and highly-efficient electricity and water services that compete with leading global utilities. The session concluded with a networking session to discuss further collaboration.