MD & CEO of DEWA receives French delegation on 1st day of WETEX 2016

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA), received a French delegation headed by HE Jean Ballandras, Renewable Energy Unifier in France. The delegation included HE Michel Miraillet, the French Ambassador to the UAE, Martine Kubler-Mamlouk, Deputy Permanent Representative of France to IRENA and in charge of sustainable development and climate change issues, and Patrick Erbs, Head of the Economic Department at the French Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
 
Al Tayer received the French delegation on the first day of the Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX 2016), which runs until Thursday, 6 October at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. WETEX is organised by DEWA 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.

Al Tayer and the French delegation discussed mutual cooperation in renewable energy, implementing best sustainable practices, and research and development. Al Tayer highlighted the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to provide 7% of Dubai's energy output from clean energy sources by 2020, 25% by 2030, and 75% by 2050. 

The French delegation commended DEWA for supporting Dubai’s efforts to become a global hub for green economy and sustainable development. The delegation was interested in the developments in the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which will produce 5,000MW of electricity when completed. The solar park contributes to conserving natural resources and will reduce over 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emission annually by 2030. This will strengthen Dubai's position as a role model in achieving the highest energy efficiency standards, and increasing the percentage of renewable energy in the energy mix. The two sides also discussed the Shams Dubai initiative, which DEWA launched to allow customers to install photovoltaic systems on their rooftops to generate electricity, and connect them to the power grid.

The two sides emphasised the importance of WETEX as a platform for the government and private sectors to make deals, build partnerships, review the latest innovative technologies and smart solutions, identify market needs, and enhance opportunities to take part in the region’s energy projects and programmes. They also highlighted the success of the first Dubai Solar Show held in conjunction with WETEX.

Al Tayer commended the French participation in WETEX 2016, which is an indication of French companies and their interest in the renewable energy sector and environmental sustainability sectors in the region. At the end of the meeting, the French delegation thanked Al Tayer for the warm welcome and for the opportunity to review DEWA’s key renewable energy projects.