UAE and Sweden to enhance trade and investment ties

Business Bureau, Gulf Today

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), welcomed a high-level delegation from the Swedish Council for Trade and Investment, headed by Henrik Landerholm, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to the UAE.

During the meeting, both sides discussed ways and areas of cooperation and exchange of experiences and expertise, to enhance Dubai’s position as a global centre for finance, business, trade, tourism, and the green economy.

Al Tayer welcomed the Ambassador and the delegation, emphasising the importance of joint cooperation between the UAE and the Kingdom of Sweden. Al Tayer also stressed the importance of cooperation between Dewa and Swedish organisations for sharing best experiences in the sectors of energy, water, and sustainability, to further develop these areas and mutually benefit from shared experiences.

Al Tayer presented Dewa’s latest projects and achievements, locally and globally, and its active role in promoting sustainable development in Dubai. He also briefed the visiting delegation on Dewa’s projects, initiatives, and plans, to achieve the vision of the wise leadership by creating a future model for utilities in the production, transmission, and distribution of electricity and water. Al Tayer also stressed that Dewa has investments worth over Dhs86 billion over the next five years to meet the growing demand for electricity and water in Dubai, and has an installed daily capacity of 11,100 megawatts (MW) of electricity and 470 million gallons of water.

Al Tayer explained that Dewa is working to achieve the objectives of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, to secure its energy supply, by diversifying the energy mix to provide 75 per cent of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy by 2050.

Dewa has launched several projects and initiatives to achieve this objective such as the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world with a production capacity of 5,000 megawatts (MW) by 2030, of which 4,000MW will be from photovoltaic solar panels and 1,000MW from concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies.

Landerholm praised DEWA’s efforts and expressed his country’s interest in participating in Dewa’s leading projects in the field of clean and renewable energy and water, praising the bilateral relations between the two countries and Dewa’s efforts in achieving sustainable development in the Emirate.

Earlier a delegation from Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) visited the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) as the meeting between the high-level officials aims to strengthen their strategic partnership on renewable and clean energy.

The delegation from Masdar included Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar and Dr Lamya Nawaf Fawwaz, Executive Director of Brand & Strategic Initiatives at Masdar and Director of the Zayed Sustainability Prize and was received by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dewa at its Head Office.

The meeting covered strengthening their strategic partnership on renewable and clean energy, and the various plans and projects that support the objectives of the UAE Centennial 2071 to make the UAE one of the best countries in the world and enhance its global position as a hub for green economy and sustainable development.

The parties also discussed Dewa’s participation in the 13th World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2020, hosted by Masdar in Abu Dhabi.

WFES, one of the key events in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2020, is where the international community gathers to discuss sustainability issues. Since its inception, WFES has highlighted efforts to accelerate the pace of sustainable development. The parties also discussed Dewa’s distinguished participation as Efficiency Partner in the 12th WFES held in January 2019.

“We always seek to strengthen partnership and co-operation with Masdar, share best global experiences and practices, achieve the directives 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 Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; for the promotion of sustainable development. Our joint efforts to develop innovative energy solutions contribute to building a sustainable future for generations to come,” said Al Tayer.

“We are once again proud to sponsor WFES as Efficiency Partner, especially as the event is a leading global platform for sharing experiences and best practices as well as exploring the growing investment opportunities in clean energy in the Middle East, one of the world’s most promising renewable energy markets. Dewa’s participation in WFES as the Summit’s Efficiency Partner comes as part of its intent to highlight the UAE developing the global energy sector and consolidating its position as a major supporter of green economy and environmental, social, and economic sustainable development.”