WETEX 2016: Dubai's Largest Energy and Water Exhibition

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Founder and Chairman of WETEX, and Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee, has invited the general public and visitors to Dubai and the UAE to visit the 18th Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) 2016. This show will be held in conjunction with the first Dubai Solar Show, and the World Green Economy Summit (WGES), which 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.

WETEX will be held during 4-6 October 2016 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, where visitors will be updated on the latest global technologies and innovative solutions in the areas of energy, conservation, storage, preservation of the environment, water desalination, rational consumption and sustainability solutions among others. In addition to that, visitors can review some of the most prominent renewable and clean energy projects in the region and the world while participating in numerous seminars and discussions in the show.

This helps in informing all segments of society on visions, strategies and initiatives aimed to promote sustainability in Dubai and the UAE so that they are further engaged in the implementation of UAE Vision 2021, Dubai strategy 2021, Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to provide 7% of Dubai's energy from clean energy sources by 2020, 25% by 2030 and 75% by 2050. The show also serves as a platform to showcase renewable energy projects in Dubai such as the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and others.

Since its inception nearly two decades ago, WETEX 2016 seeks to attract the largest possible number of visitors and participants to achieve the greatest possible benefit, for disseminating a culture of sustainability and environment preservation for the adoption of energy optimisation solutions inside homes. DEWA is inviting various segments of society to spread the principles and concepts related to energy of all kinds and forms, and apply them as part of implementing Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 to reduce energy consumption by 30% by 2030.

“We are keen to organise WETEX, which is the most important and biggest of its kind in the region, due to our efforts to implement 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, for the UAE to become one of the world's leading countries in green economy, and a centre for the export and re-export of green products and technologies. The 18th WETEX will be the largest exhibition so far in terms of display area, number of exhibitors, and anticipated number of visitors. This year, WETEX expects to attract 1,900 exhibitors from 46 countries around the world, compared with 1,696 exhibitors last year, a 12% increase. In addition, the show will host 18 national pavilions, and 29 government organisations. Also, over 23,000 visitors are expected to visit the show with over 56 sponsors,” said Al Tayer.

“Our invitation to the public to attend WETEX comes from our belief that they should be integrated within our plans and future strategies, which include energy conservation and preservation of the environment. This will raise their awareness and update them with latest findings of modern science in this field. It will also help in achieving the goals of the exhibition in intensifying efforts to preserve the world," added Al Tayer.

“The exhibition is organised under the umbrella of Green Week, in conjunction with the first Dubai Solar Show and the third World Green Energy Summit, which allows the public to attend a huge amount of events, seminars and open discussions. This will enrich their understanding due to their exposure to so many topics presented by leading experts, specialists and international officials in the environment, energy and water sectors, in addition to the opportunity to interact with professors and experts who specialise in environmental issues and conservation. The public can also participate in several workshops that will be held during the exhibition to learn about the latest means to rationalise consumption in homes, and benefit from conventional and renewable energy methods, and review workshops on how to make use of solar energy in homes through the installation of photovoltaic panels, ways to purify water and the latest technologies in the field of agriculture, irrigation plus others,” added Al Tayer.

Al Tayer stressed the importance of maximising benefits from this annual exhibition. He expressed confidence in the response of a larger audience to contribute in promoting best practices and latest energy solutions, thus preserving the environment in the future. Also, the exhibition organisers are facilitating processes for general public to take part, starting from the registration procedures, which take only a few minutes, and ending in simplifying the attendance of seminars, debates and workshops, as well as easing touring around halls of the exhibition to visit different pavilions.

WETEX 2016 will be open to the public from 10 am to 6 pm during the three days with activities, seminars and workshops every day.