Sustainability to power future, and the UAE's at the forefront

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Sustainability to power future, and the UAEs at the forefront
UAE Minister of Energy and Industry Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei.

Bratislava - Renewable energy an attractive option to invest and develop in order to meet UAE's future energy needs

By Wam

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Published: Sat 19 May 2018, 7:02 PM

Last updated: Sat 19 May 2018, 10:45 PM

Providing insights on the GCC region and the global energy transition, UAE Minister of Energy and Industry Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei said that the UAE has built on the sustainability vision of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The minister's remarks came during a discussion at the Globsec 2018 Bratislava Forum, entitled 'Energy Transition to the Post-Oil Era: Sharing the Know-How'.
Renewable energy is an attractive option to invest and develop in order to meet the UAE's future energy needs. With its geographical location, the UAE is well-poised to take advantage of solar technologies.
The idea of hosting Irena, and being a model for sustainability and renewable energy development, is part of the UAE's leading energy policy Al Mazrouei explained. "If you look at the prices of solar energy worldwide, you will see that the UAE had broken those records downwards, four times in a row, reaching lower than 2.3¢ per kilowatt-hour - no one dreamed of that when we first started," he added.
The UAE also seeks to address climate change by reaching its goal of 44 per cent renewable energy by 2050, and reducing its carbon dioxide emissions by 70 per cent.
On opportunities for renewable energy development projects for the GCC as a whole and the UAE in particular, Al Mazrouei commended the UAE's strategy to provide 44GW of renewable energy by 2050, and the announcement by Saudi Arabia to produce 200GW.
"I think our countries, by that time, will create potential to inter-link with Europe through the exchange of power resources, benefiting the whole globe from such exchanges and at the same time reducing emissions from other sources," he added.
Highlighting the UAE's investment and engagement in significant developments within Europe, the minister said: "We are a major investor in Europe, and we are proud of this partnership model that we have built with our European partners."
"Around 20,000 Europeans are employed in organisations that we own or partially own. We are very proud of their creativity and research and development pathways," he added.
These renewable technologies developments help the UAE strengthen its economic ties across the world. Masdar has invested in a range of international high-profile, utility-scale renewable energy projects, including Torresol Energy, a joint venture in Spain with Sener that operates 120MW of concentrated solar power plants, and the London Array, a 650MW offshore wind farm in the Thames Estuary.
The 158MW Tesla wind farm project is a utility scale onshore wind farm under development in Dolovo province, Serbia.
Upon completion, the project will provide clean and sustainable electricity to approximately 113,000 Serbian homes, mitigating approximately 750,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
Speaking about renewable energy technology development, Al Mazrouei said that the UAE had tested a number of models, including going 100 per cent green.
"However, this did not work as a result of the lack of technologies available. Our best option was a 50-50 ratio between fossil-based and renewable energy sources," he continued, adding that the UAE targeted the cleanest forms of fossil-based energy production and that the nation is also working with many manufacturers to improve gas turbine efficiencies.
Along with water desalination projects, all these ideas will place the UAE as a front-runner for transitioning towards greener energy, Al Mazrouei affirmed.
On substituting hydrocarbons with other energy supplies, the minister said: "I don't believe one form of energy is going to substitute the other. Yes, EV energy will evolve however it will not replace the demand for hydrocarbons."
On the US shale oil industry, he added: "I don't see shale oil as a competitor, I see it as a complementing actor. Shale oil has helped in balancing market demand and supply."
 
UAE's energy portfolio and outlook very diverse
Meanwhile, the UAE's participation at international forums reflects the nation's continued engagement with the global community, said Hamad Alkaabi, UAE Ambassador to Austria and Non-Resident Ambassador to Slovakia.
In an interview with Emirates News Agency (Wam), Alkaabi said that the UAE today has many interests views, and stakes across many issues including energy, politics, security, among other areas that are discussed with our international partners in such forums.
"Our active participation in the Globsec 2018 Bratislava Forum is a reflection of our continued engagement with the international community. There's the part where we represent our views on various topics including the Middle East and regional issues as well as industrial and energy matters," he said.
On the UAE's sustainable energy policies and ventures, Alkaabi said: "We have, as a government, a strong commitment to ensuring the level of energy availability and sustainability. When we talk about sustainability, it's not just about the availability of kilowatt-hours available, but also to ensure affordability, reliability, and the environmental impact."
"The UAE energy portfolio and outlook is very diverse. It has the conventional components as well as a strong vision for new and clean technologies," he added.
"We have progressed very well, where today a portion of our electricity supplies are being replaced with renewable and clean energy. A nuclear energy programme - a component of our clean energy mix - is being developed, and at the same time, we continue to look for new and innovative technologies to produce new sources of energy."
Alkaabi affirmed that the UAE sees the energy sector - whether in traditional or renewable formats - is vital for economic growth and prosperity of the nation.


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