HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), has received a high-level American delegation headed by HE Paul Malik, Consul General of the US Consulate General in Dubai. This is part of a series of high level visits by international delegates and organisations to DEWA. Al Tayer welcomed the delegation, noting the importance of such meetings in enhancing cooperation and coordination. He emphasised the robust economic, social and cultural relations between the UAE and the USA, and that such meetings support DEWA’s commitment to share best global practices and expertise with its partners in sustainability.
Al Tayer highlighted Dubai’s experience in the development of the renewable and the alternative energy sector, rationalisation of natural resources, and finding alternative solutions to conventional energy to achieve the sustainable development of Dubai. DEWA has launched a number of ambitious initiatives as part of its efforts to achieve the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai a smart, sustainable and integrated city that achieves sustainability of resources, and provides a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, to ensure green growth and energy efficiency.
Al Tayer pointed out that DEWA is working to achieve the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to diversify Dubai’s energy mix and increase the share of clean energy to generate 7% of Dubai’s total power output by 2020, 25% by 2030, and 75% by 2050. One of DEWA’s key projects in this regard is the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is the largest single-site solar power project in the world based on the Independent Power Producer model. It has a total investment of AED 50 billion, and will produce 1,000 MW by 2020 and 5,000 MW by 2030. Upon completion, the solar park will reduce over 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually, supporting Dubai’s objectives for sustainable development and a green economy. Al Tayer also reviewed DEWA’s preparations to host the Solar Decathlon Middle East (SDME), which was created through an agreement between the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and DEWA, and the United States Department of Energy. Dubai will host the first two rounds of SDME, which is held for the first time in the Middle East, in 2018 and again in 2020 to coincide with World Expo in Dubai, whose theme 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ fits well with this distinguished international competition.
To conclude the visit, the American delegation thanked Al Tayer for his warm welcome and his detailed overview of DEWA’s projects and best global experiences in the energy sector.