Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) concluded the 21st Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX 2019), that it organised under the guidance of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and President of DEWA. WETEX 2019 was held in conjunction with the 4th Dubai Solar Show, under the umbrella of sixth Green Week. The two most recent exhibitions have been very successful with many exhibitors, visitors, and government entities taking part. The exhibitions hosted 2,350 exhibitors from 55 countries and attracted 38,718 visitors from around the world.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, Founder and Chairman of WETEX and Chairman of WGES, also announced that DEWA will organise WETEX 2020 from 26-28 October 2020 at the site of Expo 2020 Dubai. DEWA is the Official Sustainable Energy Partner of the Expo 2020 Dubai, which will be held for the first time in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.
“WETEX has become a key supporter of Dubai’s efforts to be a global hub for clean energy and green economy, thanks to the continued support and guidance of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Today, WETEX is a leading global platform that highlights the strong link between sustainability and the Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, the impact of disruptive technologies, digital transformation, AI and research and development into clean energy and water production. The event has proven its international status as an integrated platform for energy, water and environmental companies, to promote their innovative products, services and technologies, and to meet decision-makers, investors, buyers and visitors from around the world to close deals and build partnerships, and to review the latest technologies and developments in these major sectors. The exhibition also provides an opportunity to identify the market needs, current and future projects and opportunities for participation in solar power projects and programmes in the region,” said Al Tayer.
Al Tayer said that the two exhibitions reflect Dubai’s intent to support global efforts to increase the use of renewable energy, and achieving the environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainability. This supports the objectives of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, to increase Dubai’s total power output from clean energy to 75% by 2050.
Conservation Stand strengthens community’s awareness on sustainability
DEWA showcased its prominent initiatives and programmes that encourage the public to adopt a sustainable lifestyle by conserving electricity and water and protecting the environment. DEWA displayed its conservation programmes launched throughout the year, encouraging all its customers to consolidate the foundations of environmental sustainability and to motivate society to adopt positive habits in their daily lives to promote a culture that contributes to the sustainability of natural resources, for generations to come.
The Conservation Stand featured key initiatives: Ideal Home, Conservation Award, My Sustainable Living Programme, World Energy Day and Noor & Hayat.
WETEX seminars on AI, energy efficiency, smart grids & future energy systems
In collaboration with a group of experts and specialists from leading local and international companies working in energy, water, technology, sustainability and the environment, DEWA organised 30 seminars during WETEX 2019. The series of seminars and panel discussions focused on micro-grid control systems and best practices in energy-efficiency tools and systems and smart meters; the effective application of artificial intelligence and advanced analytics; alternative and renewable energy; future energy systems; efficient network management; energy storage and network stability; smart solutions for energy efficiency, sustainability and rationalisation; environmentally friendly cables; promotion of sustainability by using energy models; building information modelling; and preservation of the environment, among many other topics.
4th Dubai Solar Show seminars highlight key innovations related to operation, maintenance, innovation and R&D
DEWA organised 17 panel discussions during the Dubai Solar Show 2019, which focused on the most prominent innovations in operations, maintenance, innovation, research and development, and other aspects of interest for the renewable energy sector. The panels discussed several key topics such as the creation of an energy innovation contracting market, working to reduce carbon emissions in the transport sector through electric vehicles and green hydrogen-based transport technologies, as well as enhancing solar power to provide fresh water in the Middle East and North Africa. It also covered the achievements of the Shams Dubai initiative launched by DEWA as part of the Smart Dubai initiative to encourage building owners to install solar photovoltaic systems to generate electricity from solar power and connect them to DEWA’s grid.