Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) | DEWA hosts virtual bootcamp for 5th Free Electrons programme for the first time in Dubai

HE Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and SMEs, and HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), witnessed the opening of the virtual bootcamp of the Free Electrons Cycle 5 that DEWA has organised for the first time in Dubai. The Free Electrons is a world-class accelerator that encourages start-ups to create innovative solutions in the energy sector.

The bootcamp was held from 24- 27 May 2021, under the theme ‘Heading to the future.’ The bootcamp included panel discussions, presentations, meetings between energy start-ups and utilities from around the world.

“We would like to welcome all participants to the virtual bootcamp of the Free Electrons Cycle 5 which is held for the first time in Dubai. At Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) we are pleased to host the bootcamp as one of the prominent members of the Free Electrons alliance, which is a global energy accelerator programme for start-ups to develop innovative energy solutions.

Hosting the bootcamp aligns with our efforts to consolidate the UAE’s leadership as an effective player in shaping the future and a globally pioneering hub for a sustainable future. This is also a part of our efforts to achieve the Dubai 10X initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai 10 years ahead of other cities through disruptive and innovative technologies,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, in his welcome speech.

“We are pleased with the huge turnout of the Free Electrons Cycle 5 and the participation of some of the world's leading energy organisations. We also endorse the intensive efforts to provide an integrated framework to enhance international cooperation among major service providers and emerging energy companies to find effective solutions to current and future challenges and to meet the world's future energy needs. The programme is a unique opportunity for start-ups to exchange information and knowledge and expand to new markets around the world. We hope that this programme, which was launched in 2017, maintains its fruitful journey to support the next generation of clean energy entrepreneurs to create an integrated framework for constructive partnerships between energy start-ups that are specialised in disruptive technologies and utilities around the world. This will help all of us to anticipate opportunities, enhance innovation in renewable and clean energy and find effective solutions to meet energy needs in the future,” added Al Tayer.

In his video address to attendees at the bootcamp, HE Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and SMEs, said: “DEWA once again demonstrates its commitment to supporting innovators who break the mould. This approach is going to be crucial in the period ahead; innovation is the lifeline we reach for, as the world bounces back from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a powerful tool we can rely on to recover from crises. The UAE has long embraced innovation as a mantra in all of its initiatives and programmes – particularly in the entrepreneurship and SMEs sector. It is one of the six pillars of our Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises Strategy, and a core component of our plans for the next 50 years, as we celebrate our Golden Jubilee and plan out the next half a century. Even with the pandemic wreaking havoc on regional and international economies, the UAE still managed to hold a 56% share of the region’s venture capital investments in 2020, reaffirming its commitment to encouraging entrepreneurs and SMEs, ”said Dr.  Al Falasi.

“Our leadership has taken decisive action to support the economy in its recovery with a AED390-billion stimulus plan, for start-ups and entrepreneurship to take centre-stage. In every Emirate, new initiatives were launched to support start-ups and entrepreneurial ventures to thrive in the new normal, and spearhead economic growth post COVID-19, enabling us to come out of the crisis even stronger than before. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, set an ambitious target to fund 13,500 new companies over the next few years. All of our initiatives operate with the same ethos and the same objective in mind: to build an environment that can nurture innovation and help start-ups and SMEs not only grow but expand beyond our borders, further cementing the UAE as a gateway to international markets,” concluded Dr. Al Falasi.

DEWA is one of the most prominent supporters of the Free Electrons programme, which includes eight international energy companies along with DEWA. These include AusNet from Australia; ESB from Ireland; EDP from Portugal; innogy from the EU; Origin Energy from Australia; Singapore Power; TEPCO from Japan; American Electric Power; and CLP from Hong Kong; in addition to Beta-i from Portugal that supports such entrepreneurship projects.