Dubai Supreme Council of Energy signs MoU with UNIDO to develop renewable energy and energy efficiency in GCC

VIENNA: The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy has signed a three-year renewable Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, UNIDO, to promote collaboration in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and to develop sustainable energy projects and programmes to be a platform for knowledge exchange about sustainability. The MoU underlines DEWA’s efforts to enhance cooperation with international organisations and supports its strategy to support and develop sustainable energy projects in Dubai. The MoU was signed by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Supreme Council of Energy in Dubai, and MD and CEO of DEWA, and Li Yong, Director General of UNIDO. Representatives and officials from both sides were also present. According to the MoU, the two sides will promote exchange of knowledge, expertise, and professional consultation. They will develop and facilitate technology sharing with a number of energy programmes and projects in the UAE and the region. The two sides will also develop an effective model for energy-service contracts in the region, and collaborate to increase the efficiency of one of Dubai’s District Cooling projects. The signing ceremony was attended by Ahmed Butti Al Muhairbi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Energy, Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, Dr. Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources, Abdul Nasser Abbas, Senior Director of Treasury, and Ahmed Abdullah, Senior Manager of External Communications at DEWA. It was also attended by Ivano Iannelli, CEO of the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence. "In line with the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to produce renewable energy locally and sustain our precious resources and support growth of this promising sector, and in alignment with the Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative, launched by Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, which sets the roadmap for our development initiatives and projects, we are working to implement the Dubai Plan 2021 to enhance sustainability and create a happy society that meets the expectations of citizens and residents," said Al Tayer. "The Supreme Council of Energy shares the same goals with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation to enhance industrial development to achieve environmental sustainability. It has become increasingly clear that we need a new development approach, which looks at societies, economies, industries, and the environment as a whole to accelerate industrialisation as a key source of economic growth, and protect the environment by supporting clean and sustainable industrial development," added Al Tayer. "I am very confident that this collaboration will not only promote sustainable energy policies in the UAE and the region, but it will also strengthen the global network and industrial development," noted Al Tayer. "Following our agreement, we will exchange information, expertise, and technical advice. We will work to develop and transfer modern technologies for a number of energy programmes and projects in Dubai. The Supreme Council of Energy is committed to implementing cost-effective policies, strategies, and technologies in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency in Dubai. This will increase the share of renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services in the Arab region and the global market. On 15th January, we selected the best bidder for the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park with the lowest cost internationally, which is 5.85 US cents/kWh, and increased the capacity of Phase two of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park to 200MW. Last week we increased the percentage of renewables in Dubai’s energy mix target to 7 percent by 2020 and 15 percent by 2030," concluded Al Tayer. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395275731788.html