DSCE aligns 2030 energy strategy, UAE Vision 2021

The members included Saeed Khoory, CEO of Emirates National Oil Company, or ENOC, Abdullah Abdulkarim, director-general of The Oil Affairs Department, Waleed Salman, Chairman of the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence, Salem bin Mesmaar, assistant director-general for Supervision of Environment, Health & Safety, at Dubai Municipality, Dr Yousef Al Ali, Executive Director of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), and Jeff Severin, director general of the Dubai Petroleum Corporation, as well as representatives from Dubai Supply Authority.

The meeting discussed various topics including the development of the second phase of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, and reviewed the updates on the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030.

Al Tayer welcomed the RTA’s appointment to the Supreme Council of Energy, following a decree issued by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, based on the strategic role played in mass transit, promoting fuel-efficiency and undertaking sustainable street-lighting solutions. The members were briefed on the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 action plan, which aims to reduce energy demand by 30 per cent by 2030 and diversify the energy mix with 71 per cent from natural gas, 24 per cent from nuclear and clean coal, and five per cent from solar energy.

This is in line with the green economy for sustainable development initiative, with the Supreme Council of Energy having accomplished several pilot projects and initiatives since its inception in 2009.

“The President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Shaikh Mohammed have outlined the UAE Vision 2021 to establish our country as among the best nations in the world.

“The Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 is aligned with the UAE Vision 2021 in areas related to energy and sustainability, including rational use of energy and water, promoting air quality, encouraging conversion of waste to energy, clean and renewable energy, water security, sustainable transport and rationalisation of fuel use,” said Al Tayer.

“The members reviewed the progress of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, with the first project last October with a capacity of 13MW. The second project has been launched, and will enter service in 2017 with a capacity of 100 MW, with the tendering to commence shortly based on the IPP model. The park includes a centre for innovation and research & development, and will open for banks to provide global financial investment opportunities in green finance,” added Al Tayer.

The members were also briefed on the ongoing preparations for organising the World Green Economy Summit, under the patronage of Shaikh Mohammed, which will be held in Dubai on April 15-16, as well as Wetex 2014, the global exhibition on energy, water and environment, which serves as a platform for industry experts and other stakeholders to meet and exchange ideas.

— business@khaleejtimes.com