Dubai holds second green energy ME conference

Abdullah Rafia, Assistant Director-General of Dubai Municipality, inaugurated today the second Green Energy Middle East Conference at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Mr. Rafia presented the vision of Dubai Municipality for a sustainable future as a model example of embracing cleaner power production in the presence of hundreds of regional experts who gathered to tackle sustainability challenges at the Green Energy Conference. He highlighted DM's new initiatives to reduce energy consumption in collaboration with Environmental Centre for Arab Towns (ECAT) by over 20 percent in the next three years, and adopting innovative solutions to save up to 10.5 Gigawatt hours (GWh) on energy consumption and 6,200 tonnes of C02 emissions per year. He pointed out the importance of new mandatory green building regulations implemented by DM for all new buildings in the Emirate of Dubai. In partnership with Dubai Municipality and ECAT, the second edition of the Green Energy Conference was held alongside Middle East Electricity, the region's largest and longest running energy event, taking place from 11th-13th February. More than 300 public and private sector stakeholders are engaged in high energy discussions and debate around some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the Middle East's burgeoning clean energy sector. Anita Mathews, Director of Informa Energy Group, organisers of Middle East Electricity, said, "Energy consumption has grown so quickly in the region that some countries are having difficulty meeting demand, resulting in power cuts during peak times in summer. "Continued growth in consumption and the level of investments required are likely to lead to an even wider gap between supply and demand. Key regional efforts to increase energy efficiency will be highlighted at the Green Energy Conference, but the most important aspect is to bring people together to instigate dialogue about this important issue and help them communicate with dignitaries from the region to make connections that can lead to real business outcomes," she said. Other expert speakers on the opening panel included Graeme Sims, Executive Director of Regulatory and Supervisory Bureau Dubai, Omar Al Wahaibi, CEO of the Electricity Holding Company Oman, and Ramani Hariharan, Director of Strategy and Communications, GDF Suez. The conference included a presentation about sustainability, related approaches, indicators and country rankings by Professor Gurkan Kumbaroglu, President, Turkish Association of Energy Economics (TRAEE) and the Vice President at the International Association of Energy Economics (IAEE). In its 39th year, Middle East Electricity is supported by DM and ECAT and is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai. The three-day event, which focuses on the power, lighting, renewable and nuclear sectors, is co-located with Solar Middle East, the most comprehensive gathering of solar technology suppliers in the region.