Dubai’s utility company has called on UK solar firms to bring their expertise to bear in the city after highlighting US$21 billion (£14 billion) of large scale projects and tenders in Dubai at a recent clean energy networking event.
The event, which took place on 15 April in London, resulted from a partnership between the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), UK Trade and Investment and global workforce solutions provider, Airswift.
Hosted by Saeed Al Tayer, managing director and chief executive officer of DEWA and vice chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, the seminar revealed the high levels of investment going into clean energy projects in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.
DEWA is currently implementing major initiatives in the country, including the Shams Dubai project which encourages household and building owners to install PV panels to generate electricity. The installations are connected to DEWA’s grid with the electricity used on site while surplus energy is exported to DEWA’s network.
The utility is also working on smart applications via smart grids and meters.
One of the key projects highlighted at the event was the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is leading the way for the inclusion of renewable resources in Dubai’s energy mix. The park will use photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies and will be spilt into a 13MW and 200MW project.
It will also include a research and development centre with a specific solar test facility.
Under Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050, every roof in the emirate would be equipped with solar panels by 2030.
Graeme Lewis, managing director of global employment outsourcing at Airswift, presented a market entry workshop at the event to share guidance on entering and operating in the region.
He said: “Dubai’s vision is to source 75% of its energy from clean technologies by 2050 and to achieve this it will need to obtain the right skills, talent and expertise from companies worldwide. UK companies have extensive experience across the renewable energy sector and we can assist them in expanding into the region.
“Our local knowledge combined with our global mobility expertise means that we can ensure a smooth entry and mobilisation process for companies operating in the UAE, enabling them to focus on successful project delivery.”
DEWA has also previously called for UK firms to apply their consultancy expertise to the development of a Dubai Green Free Zone strategy and development plan. This is intended to result in the emergence of a global clean energy hub that will attract research & development and innovative companies.
The government body has also requested consultancy services in the past for the development of a Dh100 billion (around £188 million) Green Energy Fund.
