WETEX 2025 hosts 37 seminars on the sidelines of day 3

Day three of the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) featured 37, with the participation of numerous experts and specialists from leading local and international companies. Organised by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), WETEX took place from 30 September to 2 October 2025.

Main Seminars

The themes of the main seminars were ‘Sustainable Water Infrastructure Through Non-Metallic Pipe Solutions’, ‘Innovate for Impact: Accelerating the Translation of Emerging Technologies into Scalable Value at Pace through a Connected Innovation Ecosystem’, ‘Considerations for Sustainable Cables’, ‘Powering Progress: How Grid Excellence is Enabling a Renewable Future in  Abu Dhabi’, ‘The Urgent Need for Concrete and Sustainable Change’, ‘Driving Sustainability: The CleanTech Alliance Workshop’, ‘Nature’s Source Engineered for Energy Demand’, and ‘Innovative Technologies in Energy – Digitalisation Accelerating Energy Transition’.

During the ‘SF6 Free Ring Main Units: Extended Reality (XR) in Transmission Power’ seminar, Basil Almabrok, Executive Manager of R&D in the Medium Voltage and RMU sector at Alfanar, said: “Eliminating SF6 is more than a technical upgrade – it’s a commitment to sustainability and climate action. By adopting dry air insulation and designing equipment that matches the size, safety and reliability of traditional systems, we are proving that high performance and environmental stewardship can coexist. Each SF₆ free unit reduces emissions equivalent to removing thousands of cars from the road, and with global regulations phasing out SF₆ by 2026, this innovation is no longer optional – it’s essential. At Alfanar, we are proud to pioneer smart, sustainable solutions that power the grid while protecting the planet.”

Renewables and Sustainability Seminars

The themes of the Renewable and Sustainability Seminars were ‘Introduction by Clean Energy Business Council MENA’, ‘Delivering 100% Clean Power – The Role of Integrated Systems’, ‘Solar PV Market Update – From Cost Decline to Energy Security’, ‘Digital Grids and Load Balancing in the Age of Renewables’, ‘Transforming Renewable Projects into Long-Term Grid Value with Emerson Solutions’, ‘Grid-Ready Energy Systems – Storage, Hydrogen & Flexibility’, ‘Water Security and Energy Policy – A Linked Agenda’, ‘Decarbonising Desalination in the Gulf – Tech & Pathways’ and ‘Delivering Water and Energy Access for a Net-Zero Future’.

The ‘Scaling Clean Mobility – Infrastructure, Policy & Industry’ panel painted an optimistic picture of the future of clean transport, one in which electric vehicles, smart charging and renewable energy work together to reshape urban life. Experts revealed how the UAE is creating a supportive environment – from clear regulations and affordable tariffs to large-scale infrastructure and innovative recycling projects. With ambitious targets, strong investment appetite and seamless collaboration between the public and private sectors, the country is on track to make sustainable mobility mainstream. As technology evolves and adoption accelerates, clean mobility is set to become not just a choice but the driving force of tomorrow’s sustainable cities.

During the ‘Beyond Reporting – Industrial Action on Decarbonisation’ session, DP World outlined its pathway to cut 42% of Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 through renewable energy, electrification of port equipment and alternative marine fuels. Enova stressed its commitment to digitisation and energy efficiency, highlighting savings of over 1 billion kWh and the avoidance of 500,000 tonnes of CO₂. BEEAH emphasised its advancements in waste-to-energy solutions and landfill diversion, having already achieving a 90% diversion rate in Sharjah, with a clear ambition to reach net zero by 2040. Future Pipe Industries presented its solar and electrification projects, including its new 1.6MW and 1.1MW solar plants. However, the path forward is not without challenges, with financing, regulatory frameworks and Scope 3 supply chain emissions identified as the most pressing hurdles, underscoring the need for strategic partnerships and innovative solutions.

The ‘City Mobility Plans for Electrification & Efficiency’ seminar presented a practical road map to deliver the UAE’s ambitious goals for clean and smart mobility. Key targets include raising electric vehicles to 50% of the national fleet and achieving climate neutrality by 2050, alongside a shift toward the ‘20-minute city’ model, where the maximum intra-city travel time is 20 minutes. The road map included three core pillars: (1) electrifying all modes of transport – buses, commercial fleets and micro-mobility – using renewable power; (2) deploying smart infrastructure, featuring a wide rollout of public and private charging networks and advanced load management; and (3) harnessing data and cutting-edge technologies, including Mobility-as-a-Service platforms and real-time analytics.

Water Seminars

The themes of the Water Seminars were ‘Smart Water Quality Management System – Integrated Data-Driven Road Map’, ‘Compact, High-Efficiency UV-Cured Coating Systems for Metal Pipes and Tanks’, ‘LIFE23-ENV-IT-TARPAULIFE’; ‘The high Energy Saving Potential and Possible CO2 Reduction in a WWTP with System Solution’, ‘Water Softening’ and ‘The Challenges and Enablers of Scaling Up and Adopting New Water Technologies’.

During the ‘Decarbonising Desalination – Reverse Osmosis: A Catalyst for the Energy Transition’ seminar,  Abdul Rahman Bafaraj from Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) said: “By 2030 about 90% of Abu Dhabi’s water will come from reverse osmosis (RO), replacing thermal desalination. The Taweelah RO plant, with a capacity of 909,000m³ per day, already covers around 25% of demand. With the shift to RO, we cut production costs by more than half, reducing water costs from about $1.2 per m³ to nearly $0.50 per m³. This transition boosts energy efficiency by 96% and lowers CO₂ emissions by around 80%.”

Innovation and the Future Seminars

The themes of the Innovation and the Future seminars covered different topics, including ‘RC Snubbers and Varistors’, ‘IT Services Reimagined in the AI Era’, ‘Future Grids – How are Global Grids Shaping Up?, ‘Modernising Utility Settlement Systems’, ‘ESLON UVS-VP: The First UV-Resistant PVC Piping System for Outdoor Applications’, ‘ESLON CLEAN HI-PVC: A Cost-Effective Piping Solution for Ultra-Pure Water Systems’, ‘Maximising PV Performance through Predictive Maintenance’, ‘Taste The Future with Robotic Cafes – CafeXbot & Expoccino Turning Energy into New-age Vending’ and ‘Innovative Solutions for Recycling and Advertising’.

During the ‘Long Duration Energy Storage’ session, Ahmed Ghayoor from Siemens Energy said: “Energy storage is the silent force powering the clean energy future. As renewables become the dominant source of electricity, the ability to store energy for hours, days or even weeks will define the success of the global energy transition. Long-duration solutions – from advanced battery systems to molten salt storage – are key to delivering reliable, affordable and sustainable power to communities everywhere. They transform intermittent energy into a stable resource, empowering nations to meet their climate goals and build a net-zero world for generations to come.”

In the session titled ‘Protection of Dry-Type Transformers Against Transient Recovery Voltage (TRV) Using Surge Arresters’, experts discussed how vacuum circuit breakers, when interrupting current before it naturally reaches zero, can unleash stored inductive and capacitive (L/C) energy, producing high-frequency TRV. The session focused on how surge arresters can effectively shield dry-type transformers from these potentially damaging transients.

Health and Safety Hub Seminars

The Health and Safety Conference seminars were organised under different themes, including ‘DEWA’s Journey to Well-being Excellence’, ‘The Future of Safety & Well-being: Empowering the Workforce’ and ‘Enhancing Health and Safety in Construction using Roboflow and YOLO:  AI Real-Time Computer Vision Solutions’.

During ‘Innovating Well-being and Safety: Navigating Diverse Cultures Across Borders from a Multinational Perspective’ seminar, Nahla Abid, Vice-President of Strategy, Marketing and Sales for the CIF Middle East, Caspian & Africa at Bureau Veritas, said: “Safety has no borders but culture shapes its expression. Moving from compliance to care means we are no longer just reacting to incidents but proactively creating workplaces where people feel valued, protected and empowered. Health, safety, and environment are not boxes to tick –they are leadership commitments that must adapt to cultural diversity, integrate mental well-being with physical safety and use innovation to anticipate risks before they happen. When employees are treated as true assets, they go home safe, stay engaged and deliver their best – proving that well-being is both a human and an economic imperative.”

In the ‘Effective Emergency Preparedness and Response’ session, Sebastien Bedu, General Manager for the Middle East team at International SOS in Dubai, said: “Emergencies today are no longer rare or isolated – they are complex, interconnected and disruptive. No organisation is immune to crisis, and waiting until disaster strikes is too late. Preparedness is not a technical skill; it is a leadership skill rooted in clarity and empathy. In a crisis, trust matters more than control. Panic fills the vacuum when communication isn’t clear, but practice creates confidence and resilience. Preparedness is not a cost – it is a competitive advantage that protects people, safeguards operations and turns uncertainty into opportunity. At its heart, crisis response is about leadership, and true leadership begins with empathy.”

Speakers from British Safety Council highlighted during a session on ‘Wellbeing and Quality of Life – Mental Health and Stress Management’ that workplace well-being and stress management are core business priorities, not optional extras. Stress directly shapes how people think, behave, collaborate and perform, making it a predictor of innovation, retention and safety.

The ‘Emerging Technology: Innovations in Health & Safety and Well-Being in Workplace and Communities’ session highlighted how emerging technologies such as drones, wearables, in-cab monitoring and robotic dogs are transforming workplace health, safety and well-being. However, the panel stressed that technology alone is not enough, adding that people, culture and trust remain central. The speakers highlighted that adoption requires proper training, transparency and alignment between developers, users and leadership to ensure effective use and build confidence. They emphasised that ethical handling of data, respect for privacy and proactive efforts to minimise bias are essential for responsible innovation. To ensure scalability and relevance, they recommended starting with small pilot projects, followed by a gradual expansion.

SRM Seminars

These interactive seminars and panel discussions not only strengthened co-operation between DEWA and its suppliers but also enhanced partnerships and drove efforts to promote sustainability and the circular economy.