Environment

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has organised today the France-DEWA Seminar at its Sustainable Building in Al Quoz, in collaboration with the French Business Council (FBC) in Dubai and the Northern Emirates and Business France. The seminar is part of the France-DEWA Forum, which is organised for the first time in the Middle East. The Forum, organised from 20-23 April 2015, includes the first French pavilion at WETEX 2015, 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 from 21-23 April 2015, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA welcomed the French participants including HE Michel Miraillet, Ambassador of France to the UAE, HE Anne-Marie Idrac, French Special Representative for Trade with the UAE, HE Rudy Salles, Member of the French Parliament for Alpes-Maritimes and Deputy Mayor of Nice , HE Muriel Penicaud French Ambassador for International Investment and CEO of Business France, Majdi, Abed, French Consul General in Dubai, Laurent Chaudet, FBC President, Francois Sporrer, Managing Director of Business France United Arab Emirates.

The seminar was also attended by HE Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi, Secretary General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at DEWA, Dr. Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources at DEWA, Khawla Al Mehairi, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications at DEWA, Nasser Saidi, Chairman of the Clean Energy Business Council, Stephane Le Gentil, CEO of Etihad ESCO, , and representatives of a large number of French organisations and companies, government and private-sector officials in the UAE, and local and French media.

France-DEWA Seminar started with signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DEWA and Business France in Dubai and Northern Emirates in the presence of Al Tayer, Miraillet, Chaudet, and Sporrer. The MoU promotes and develops trade relations between Dubai and France and enhances participation at the Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX).

Al Tayer, Miraillet, Idrac, Salles, Penicaud, Al Muhairbi, and Salman spoke at the seminar.

In his opening speech, Al Tayer welcomed the participants, commending the relations between the UAE and France.

French-Emirati relations date back to the founding of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. These relations are based on peace, dialogue, cooperation and openness. These foundations were laid down by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founder of the UAE, May God rest his soul, and developed further under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The leadership of the UAE and France are committed to supporting and strengthening bilateral relations for the benefit of both nations. French companies and investors in the UAE play an important role in fostering ties of friendship, and socio-economic relationships. This is reflected positively on economy and fuels the development of both countries; serving our common interests, said Al Tayer.

I am pleased to welcome you today at this seminar, which is held for the first time in the Middle East and is part of the France-DEWA Forum, which is dedicated to Green Economy in the UAE. This includes the first French pavilion at the Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX 2015), which DEWA organises under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, and under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance, and President of DEWA, he added.

The UAE leadership places great importance on environmental issues that contribute to the sustainable development. The UAE Vision 2021 aims to pave the way for an environment that nurtures sustainability. The long-term Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, supports a diversified economy based on knowledge and innovation, while preserving natural resources and the environment. This in turn strengthens the UAEs global competitiveness, especially in renewable energy, and green economy technologies and products. For Dubai, the Dubai Plan 2021 is to make Dubai sustainable with its resources, whose environmental elements are clean, healthy, and sustainable. The Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, announced by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, promotes sustainable development and makes Dubai a role model in energy security and efficiency, and reduces energy demand by 30%. At DEWA, as part of our commitment to achieve our vision to become a sustainable, innovative world-class utility, we are focused on raising the share of renewable energy in Dubais energy mix. DEWA has increased this percentage to 7% by 2020 and 15% by 2030 after we recorded the lowest global price for a solar photovoltaic IPP project, for the second phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. Its total capacity will reach 3,000MW when completed in 2030. It is one of the largest strategic renewable energy projects in the world based on the IPP model, noted Al Tayer.

We are pleased that this name of the forum is linked to France. Today, France is a world leader in sustainable development and in leveraging renewable energy. We hope the France-DEWA forum will enhance cooperation with French organisations and companies, and exchange experiences and best practices to achieve the objectives of Dubai and the UAE in the transition towards a green economy. The World Green Economy Summit, whose theme is Global Partnerships for Sustainable Future and WETEX, whose theme is At The Forefront of Sustainability, and which both coincide with this Forum, are an opportunity to share international best practices, and review the latest technologies in sustainable development and green economy, said Al Tayer.

DEWA adopts international best standards and practices in environment and sustainability by using the latest technologies and best practices in the production, transmission, distribution, and use of energy and water. DEWA has launched three smart initiatives that support the Smart Dubai initiative. These will have an important role in achieving the sustainable development of Dubai and its shift towards a green economy. The first initiative, Shams Dubai, encourages households and building owners to install photovoltaic solar panels to generate electricity. The electricity generated is used on the premises with the surplus exported to DEWAs grid. This encourages the use of renewable energy, increases its share in the energy mix, and diversifies energy sources. The second initiative includes smart applications that use smart meters and grids that provide various benefits to our customers. DEWA plans to install 1,200,000 new smart meters for new connections and replace all mechanical and electromechanical meters within the next 5 years. The third initiative, EV Green Charger, is to establish the infrastructure for electric-vehicle charging stations. DEWA has already established 16 charging stations in Dubai. We aim to build 100 stations by the end of this year, added Al Tayer.

We hope this seminar will come out with the desired results and that the France-DEWA Forum will be the start of a fruitful relationship and a series of forums and meetings that enhance the transition towards a green economy in the UAE and contribute to implementing strategic developmental projects. This supports the vision of our wise leadership and the Dubai Government Strategy to achieve the sustainable development of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates, concluded Al Tayer.

This seminar for which the French interest is illustrated not only by the presence of two ambassadors but, moreover, by the attendance of former minister Anne Marie Idrac, the special representative of the French minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of the reinforcement of our economic ties with the UAE is emblematic of the common vision and interest of both countries in the field of green economy. We consider the United Arab Emirates as being a model country whose commitment toward sustainable development and renewable energies has been adamant, even though it could rely upon its massive fossil resources. As such, France has no doubt the United Arab Emirates will play a major role in the upcoming COP 21 summit in Paris, next December. The Universal Exhibition EXPO 2020 will be another opportunity for Dubai to showcase this vision of a sustainable development with integrated smart cities, said Miraillet.

More than ever DEWA is at the core of this ambitious strategy with a remarkable long term vision. With major initiatives, including smart metering, connecting solar energy and the positive action of Etihad Esco, DEWA is undoubtedly contributing to Dubai becoming a smart city, added Miraillet.

The France-DEWA Seminar discussed several topics including government strategies in green industries, smart grids, renewable energy, and smart water technologies. The seminar brought together decision-makers with representatives of leading French companies in these areas. Several workshops and brainstorming sessions were conducted by experts in smart grids, renewable energy, smart water and energy efficiency.

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