MD & CEO of DEWA receives delegation from Masdar to discuss UAE renewable energy projects

Dubai, UAE, 27 April 2016: HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has received a delegation from Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted renewable energy company. The visit supports DEWA’s efforts to enhance cooperation and exchange experiences in clean and renewable energy. The delegation included Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, and Bader Al Lamki, Director of Clean Energy at Masdar. Al Tayer congratulated Al Ramahi on his new position as CEO of Masdar, commending his achievements during his career at Masdar. Al Tayer underlined the strong ties and cooperation between DEWA and Masdar in different areas, especially in clean and renewable energy. He emphasised that both organisations work to develop these relations to broaden horizons and mutually benefit from their shared experiences.

Al Tayer noted that the UAE, under the leadership of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attaches great importance to the diversification of the energy mix in the UAE, and increasing the share of renewable and clean energy.

“Our wise leadership is pursuing the transformation towards clean and renewable energy to achieve a vision that recognises their significance in achieving a balance between development and sustainability. This will help protect the rights of future generations to live in a clean, healthy, and safe environment. Led by initiatives such as Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai, the UAE continues to build large renewable-energy projects. These will contribute to the long-term protection of the environment and the country’s natural resources. Future generations will benefit from these positive steps as we benefit from those of our predecessors who cared for the environment and its protection and development,” said Al Tayer.

Al Tayer highlighted DEWA’s key development projects and strategic initiatives that will contribute towards achieving the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The strategy outlines Dubai’s energy sector over the next three decades with targets to provide 7% of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy sources by 2020, 25% by 2030, and 75% by 2050. One of the key projects to achieve this target is the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which DEWA is currently implementing. The park is the largest single-site solar-energy project in the world, based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. It will produce 1,000MW by 2020 and 5,000MW by 2030. 

Al Ramahi commended DEWA for its projects and initiatives. He thanked Al Tayer for the warm welcome and for the opportunity to discuss cooperation and enhance bilateral relations to contribute to developing the renewable energy sector in the UAE.