UAE will continue to ensure energy sector reaches new heights: Minister

Suhail Bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, reaffirmed that the UAE will continue to forge ahead to ensure all sectors, particularly the energy sector, reach new heights through collaboration and a steadfast commitment to excellence and leadership.

The Minister made his comment during a session titled ‘Charting the Future of the UAE’s Energy Sector’, organised by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) in cooperation with Shell. The session drew the attendance of Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at MoEI, senior officials and experts from federal and local government entities, and representatives of the private sector.

Al Mazrouei said: “We discussed potential scenarios and next steps for the energy sector to align with the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, currently being updated to factor in the developments happening in the energy sector. The session helped us communicate directly with our stakeholders from across the energy space to create a baseline for future action plans towards a comprehensive sustainable development. It was a timely step, as it coincided with the Year of Sustainability and the UAE’s preparations to host the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28).”

For his part, Al Olama said: “The session aimed to explore ways to accommodate and support the rapidly changing energy landscape. We seek to engage our stakeholders at home and abroad in driving the UAE’s ambitious goals for the energy sector, particularly in clean energy, to positively impact the global energy system. This session was a key step in that direction, as we discussed how to develop an energy system of the future that is agile, can contribute to our net-zero target, and help reinforce the UAE’s status as a climate action leader.”

A week ago, Suhail Bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei honoured the winners of the first edition of the Research and Innovation Award, organised by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) to accelerate the development of innovative solutions to challenges in energy, water, infrastructure, transport, and housing.

Coinciding with the UAE Innovates 2023, the award ceremony drew the participation of senior officials at MoEI and other government entities and representatives of private sector companies and stakeholders.

The Award covered six key areas, including the impacts of climate change on the resilience of the energy and infrastructure sectors, better integration of urban planning, future mobility solutions, innovative housing solutions, balanced national energy, and water security and sustainability. It targeted participations from the government sector, private sector, universities and R&D centers, startups, individual researchers and experts, and youth.

The winners of the government sector category were Al Ain City Municipality, Dubai Municipality, Abu Dhabi City Municipality, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.

For the private sector category, the awards went to Bee’ah Group and Abu Dhabi Distribution Company. Awards for the universities and R&D centres category were bagged by Khalifa University, University of Sharjah, Abu Dhabi University, University of Wollongong in Dubai, and New York University Abu Dhabi.

Winners of the start-ups category were Wahaj Solar and Mawarid Desert Control, and for the individual researchers and experts category, Dr. Umair Hasan, Zeeshan Hameed, Zafar Said, Adel bin Hassouna Hamami, Dr. Ameena Al Sumaiti, and Rami Asad bani Shamsa secured the awards.

Noora Saeed, Asma Al Mazrouei, Asma Daher, and Sumaih Al Dhuri were awarded for the youth category.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Al Mazrouei said, “Innovation is in our DNA. As we follow in the steps of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we are keen to drive efforts to turn the UAE into a global center of excellence. To help achieve this goal, we launched the Research and Innovation Award that aims to incorporate innovation into the processes within our various sectors. We are confident that the winning studies and solutions submitted by the participants will advance our sustainability agenda at the Ministry. This year’s edition comes at a critical time, as we gear up to host the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) this November at Expo City Dubai.”

For her part, Nusaiba Al Marzouqi, Director of Studies and Research and Chief Innovation Officer at MoEI, said, “The Ministry is keen to support innovators, adopt excellence, and build human capacities as part of its strive to establish an innovation ecosystem. The Research and Innovation Award fits perfectly into our drive. This edition has received 128 applications from 60 entities and individuals. With the help of 76 judges of experts and professors, we managed to evaluate and shortlist the submissions to eventually handpick 24 ground-breaking studies that we celebrate today. We will work with the winners to implement their studies that will improve our processes at the Ministry.”