Dubai Electricity and Water Authority confirmed as strategic sponsor for Dubai Global Energy Forum 2013

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) today announced its strategic sponsorship for this year’s second session of the Dubai Global Energy Forum (DGEF 2013). Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, this year’s Forum’s theme is ‘Clean Energy for Sustainable Development.’

DEWA’s sponsorship of the Forum is in line with the aspirations of the Government of Dubai and its national long-term initiative launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ‘Green Economy for Sustainable Development,’ which aims for the UAE to be a world leader in the field of sustainability.

"Our sponsorship of the Dubai Global Energy Forum emphasizes DEWA’s support for the aspirations of our government in its determination to transition to a green economy, and stems from our belief in the need to use clean energy to fuel sustainable development in the Emirate of Dubai and the UAE in general, as well as our resolve to become a truly sustainable globally renowned utilities company,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and MD and CEO of DEWA.

Al Tayer added: "The Forum, which is organized by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, is of great importance at the local, regional and global level. It serves as a global platform for clean energy experts and industry representatives to develop solutions to pertinent issues, discuss the latest developments and potential opportunities in this vitally important sector."

DEWA has already launched a number of initiatives that contribute to the Emirate of Dubai's vision for achieving sustainable development, including the Green Buildings Initiative. DEWA’s Sustainable Building, in the Al Quoz district of Dubai, is a prime example of this global leadership; it is now the largest government building in the world with a Platinum rating for green buildings from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). DEWA’s Sustainable Building occupies an area of approximately 340,000 square feet, and boasts a wide range of environmentally friendly features.

Amongst the other key initiatives undertaken by DEWA is the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which when completed will be the largest solar park in the region, providing 1GW of energy to the Emirate’s capacity. DEWA has also piloted a number of smart grid projects, with a prominent example being its use of the latest Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) technology. SCADA allows for water and electricity supply and control to be monitored, and illustrates how smart grid technology can enhance energy efficiency, reducing the cost, both financial and environmental, to the consumer and utilities provider alike.

The topics and themes for the second session of the Forum, which takes place from 15-17 April at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, were confirmed by the Supreme Council in a press conference held on March 25.

DGEF 2013 is expected to be extremely important and influential, offering a platform for experts from around the world to discuss some of the major issues in the fields of energy, environment and sustainability.

The Forum will also facilitate discussion on how to invest in green projects, the potential for nuclear power in the Middle East, and how to unleash the potential of solar energy. It will also explore ways of influencing consumer behaviour in an attempt to reduce the consumption of energy and water. Current policies and the outlook for this important sector will also be discussed; so too programmes, technologies and investment opportunities that have the potential to encourage the trend towards using clean energy to fuel sustainable development.

This year’s Forum is held in partnership with a number of organisations: DEWA, Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL), Dubai Supply Authority (DUSUP), Dubai Petroleum Corp, BMW, Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI), Emirates NBD, CNBC Arabia, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), HSBC, Credit Agricole, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Arabian Radio Network (ARN). Other partners include Samba Bank, Dragon Oil, Citibank, Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) and United Bank Limited (UBL).