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UAE-UK Ministers Call for Collaboration on Energy Efficiency to Ensure Secure Energy Future for Generations to Come
Abu Dhabi, UAE – February 1 2015– Held under the Patronage of His ExcellencySuhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy, the Energy Working Group under the directorship ofthe UAE-UK Business Council hosted a forum to share best practices in energy efficiency and explore avenues for further collaboration on implementation of energy efficiency technologies and measures.
Held during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the event focused on Energy Efficiency related to Smart Cities, Building Efficiency and Water Desalination and Bulk Demand.
The forum was attended by distinguished guests including His Excellency Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy, The Right Honourable Matthew Hancock, MP and UK Minister of State at the Department of Energy and Climate Change, HisExcellency Nasser A.Alsowaidi, Chairman of the Energy Authority and Co-Chair of the UAE-UK Business Council, His Excellency Saeed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energyand Sir Jonathon Porritt, the renowned environmentalist and writer.
Members of the Energy Working Group include: the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Royal Dutch Shell as Co-Chairs; Dubai Water and Electricity Authority (DEWA); Masdar; Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC);Thani Emirates Petroleum Corporation; Regulation and Supervision Bureau; Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company (Takreer); (BP); Amec Foster Wheeler and ATKINS.
The forum was facilitated by consultants Strategy&. Recommendations and actions discussed at the forum will be collated and presented to the UAE-UK Business Council.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries today consume more primary energy than the whole of Africa, according to a recent report released by Chatham House. It is estimated that the region's fuel demand will double by 2024 at the current demand growth rate.
In his keynote address at the Forum,Minister Al Mazroueisaid,“As energy leaders, we are committed to addressing the critical issues of energy security, access and efficiency. Energy efficiency initiatives are an essential part of the global strategy as we strive towards developing the smart cities of tomorrow. Working together with the UK and global partners, we can create a successful collaboration that will deliver sustainable energy future for all nations.”
The Right Honourable Matthew Hancock,said, “I am delighted to be in the UAE today at a time where the country has embarked on a solid path to energy sustainability, with a determined vision to achieve energy security while delivering unprecedented levels of efficiency. We areconfident that the continued collaboration between our two countries in this regard, building on this long-standing partnership will deliver a secure energy future for many generations to come.”
His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar said, “Hosting the UAE-UK Business Council's Energy Working Group Forum in conjunction with Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week is a testament to both the UAE's vision on the future of renewable energy and clean technology and the importance of smart cities to our economies. Smart Cities like Masdar are a beacon for the future and we look forward to working with our counterparts in the UK on advancing energy efficiency in our two countries and bringing innovations to the global arena.”
His Excellency Nasser A. Alsowaidi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Energy Authority and Co-Chair of the UAE-UK Business Council, commented on the existing excellentmulti-layered relationship between the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, and on the importance to nurturethe same through the UAE-UK Business Council, which had been established in 2011 to increase trade and investment between the two countries to £12 billion by 2015. Furthermore, His Excellency Nasser A. Alsowaidi indicated that “The Energy Efficiency Workshop” held on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability week by the Energy Working Group under the directorship of the UAE-UK Business Council is one of the many initiatives endeavoured by the energy working group, aimed at increasing communication as well as ensuring knowledge transfer and expertise between the two countries.
Commenting on the event, Dr Saif Al-Nasseri, Gas Processing Director at ADNOC and Co-Chair of the Energy Working Groupunder the directorship of the UAE-UK Business Council said, “Meetings such as this that bring together global leaders and great thinkers in the field of energy will spearhead needed innovations. This initiative continues to open lines of communication and enhance the exchange of knowledge and best practices between the UAE and the UK ultimately achieving the goals of the council which is to increase trade between both nations.”
Sir Jonathon Porrittgave a special address on the benefits of energy efficiency and its link to decoupling. “The energy efficiency implementation is critical in achieving the decoupling of economic growth and energy use. Three key elements will help achieve this; pricing, standards, and visionary leadership of both the UAE and the UK.”
The UAE-UKBusiness Council's Energy Working Group members have been working for four years to support the UAE's energy and infrastructure growth.
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