H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer

Dubai, UAE, 10 October 2018: Sharing highlights of the 20th Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX), to be held from October 23 to 25, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director, CEO, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Founder, Chairman, WETEX, spoke on how the event is an ideal platform for the public and private sectors to see the latest technological developments in water, environment, oil & gas, and traditional and renewable energy. “[The event] also provides a unique opportunity for investors to establish trade relations and enhance their businesses, by meeting representatives of major international companies under one roof,” he added.

Al Tayer stressed that the event allows companies, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and specialists in solar system installation and storage; developers of solar energy projects, according to the independent power producer model; research and development institutions and engineering companies and consultants to view cutting-edge technologies and trends in the sector.

Al Tayer also provided an update on Dubai Green Fund’s role in the UAE’s sustainability agenda. The fund, he said, continues to help accelerate green projects in the emirate and supports all efforts towards more sustainable power consumption. “Renewable energy is just one source,” Al Tayer said, “there are also retrofits [initiatives] and [other ways to] look at energy waste. Anything to do with converting conventional type to clean energy or improving the efficiency of old houses, by reducing [energy] waste from 20% to, for example, 5% – and this usually has something to do with the air conditioning, double glazing and insulation. Any project that will help accelerate these efforts, the Green Fund will support it.” Al Tayer said special emphasis is placed to expedite investment on transforming houses from conventional power sources to renewable power sources.

Organised under the theme ‘At the forefront of sustainability’, Al Tayer, said, WETEX  2018 will cover an area of 78,413 square metres, with the participation of more than 2,100 exhibitors from 53 countries and will be held in conjunction with the third Dubai Solar Show, which will cover an area of 14,000 square metres. The exhibition, Al Tayer said, coincides with the fifth World Green Economy Summit (WGES) 2018, which brings together international experts and professionals in green economy, smart cities, innovation, and sustainable development.

Al Tayer added that DEWA will share global benchmarking results over the past year and promising projects in energy diversification, notably the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, in its pavilion at Zabeel Hall. Al Tayer said DEWA will also be highlighting its smart initiatives, including Shams Dubai, to connect solar panels in homes and buildings to DEWA’s grid, in addition to a wide range of smart services.

Al Tayer said, WETEX 2018 will also have a specialised Innovation Hall, hosting more than 17 local and international universities and will feature 17 country pavilions, with China being the largest, showcasing Chinese companies specialising in water, energy and the environment. He added that WETEX 2018 will also have a number of workshop and seminars, as well as sessions on demand-side management programmes and sustainable practices.

Hannah Jo Uy is Assistant Editor at Climate Control Middle East magazine. She may be contacted at hannah@cpi-industry.com