(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The UAE energy leaders on Wednesday iterated their commitment to ensure the provision of energy, while preserving the environment and resources for sustainable development in the country and said all required strategies, policies and regulatory framework are in place.
At a roundtable centering on the UAE's Green Economy initiative took place as part of the World Energy Forum 2012, high-profile UAE ministers and heads of government departments underlined the need to boost public-private partnerships and create awareness about the energy consumption to protect environment and climate of planet.
roundtable alsop emphasised the importance of the UAE's regulatory framework and its ability to influence governance and implementation, as well as attract investors in green technologies.
The UAE Minister of Environment and Water Dr Rashid Ahmad bin Fahad, who chaired the roundtable, said diversification of energy resources is need of the hour and collaboration between public and private sector could yeild a better results.
"Energy is the main pillar of green economy and wee need to diversify our resources, do more legislations and frame new regulations on energy consumptions," he said, adding that about 70 per cent of energy production is being used in housing and institutions.
He said a new federal regulatory framework will be issued to define energy demand and ensure green economy practices. "Unified federal legislations will be soon introduced for green projects and to encourage the private sector to invest in the energy research, science and technology," he said.
The roundtable shed light on the country's overall green economy practices and tackled topics such as policy and legal frameworks, investments, urban planning, the environment, and technology.
The session also highlighted the UAE's policies to drive energy efficiency, encourage renewable energy, attract major related investments and create jobs. Other topics discussed included issues pertaining to solar power plants, nuclear plants, biomass renewable energy, clean energy, sustainable green technology, and the government's role in private investments.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, vice-chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, managing director and chief executive of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa); Dr Sultan Al Jaber, chief executive officer of Masdar; Hussain Nasser Lootah, director-general of Dubai Muncipality; Waleed Salman, member of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy; and Hisham Abdulla Al Shirawi, second vice-chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, attended the roundtable.
"Sustainability has become the main concern worldwide due to the adverse impact of climate change," said Al Tayer.
He said the government has launched various initiatives to diversify energy resources, create awareness for energy consumption and energy waste. ""About 3.4 per cent of total electricity generation is unpaid and we need to check this wastage," he said.
In his speech, Dr Al Jaber stressed that the challenge is not choosing between economic growth and environmental conservation, but rather to combine economic growth with environmental conservation - creating a green economy.
Referring to various initiatives, Al Jaber said Masdar has developed a 10 megawatts (MW) solar station that will soon be delivering the 100MW Shams 1 CSP project, offsetting 175,000 tonnes of CO2 and powering 20,000 homes. He also mentioned some of Masdar's international projects, namely a 120MW solar plant in Spain, and announced that Masdar will soon be supplying 630MW of wind power to the UK through the London Array offshore-wind project's first phase.
He also pointed out that countries quickly recovering from the recession, like Germany, Korea and Brazil, are investing heavily in low-carbon industries and shifting towards a green economy.
Hussain Nasser Lootah said environment protection is high on the forum agenda. He presented four-point strategy to check energy consumption and said solar energy usage in daily life can make a big difference in this regard. "Solar boilers, usage of LED lamps to ligthen homes, home green appliances and efficient use of air-conditioning system can save consumption by 50 to 60 per cent," he said.
Waleed Salman said Dubai entities are committed to sustainability and the usage of sustainable energy. He said solar energy is now becoming more and more economically viable and Supreme Council of Energy alongwith other entities is working on the development of the framework for roof-top renewable recources connection.
Hisham Abdulla Al Shirawi shed light on public-private partnership and said the UAE has large carbon footprints and the government launched many successful initiatives to address this votal issue.
"The Dubai Chamber has a first green building certification in this region. The electrictity bill of a 15-storey building is less than a five-bedroom villa, which is a great achievement," he said.
The second panel discussion entitled 'Integrated urban planning, climate change and environment and rationalised use and promotion of green technology' centered on topics such as sustainable transportation, clean air, economic and environmental impacts and urbanised infrastructure in the UAE. The session also covered integrated mass transportation and federal railways, as well as hybrid vehicles and alternative fuel choices to reduce carbon footprint. Speakers also focused on climate change within the context of the UAE, in addition to demand and supply energy management.
Lastly, attendees discussed Dubai's emergence as a green city and the Emirate's green buildings, wildlife and marine environment.
Speakers at the panel included Nasser Abushaheb, Roads and Transportation Authority (RTA); Ivano Iannelli, CEO, Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence; Paolo Lembo, United Nations Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative in the UAE; and Yousef Jebril, executive vice-president, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.
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