Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has endorsed the 3rd Annual Global Independent Water and Power Plants (IWPP) Summit, organised by Fleming Gulf Conferences at Habtoor Grand Beach and Resort hotel, Dubai. The summit aims to strengthen the partnership between investors, service providers and the public sector, to manage increasing demand for energy projects and achieve rapid and effective delivery of infrastructure projects through productive partnerships between the public and private sectors.

The summit received high-level representatives and energy experts from Saudi Arabias Water and Electricity Company, Kuwaits Ministry of Electricity & Water, and specialised companies from the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Korea, Japan, China, USA, India, Sri Lanka, and Europe.

List of speakers at the summit included HE Dr. Matar Al Neyadi, Undersecretary of UAE Ministry of Energy, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, HE Mohammed Bin Jarsh, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Company, HE Dr. Rashid Al Leem, Chairman of Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority, in addition to a presentation by Regulation and Supervision Bureau, Abu Dhabi.

I would like to thank Fleming Gulf Conferences for organising this summit. On behalf of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, it is my pleasure to welcome you today to the 3rd Global IWPP Summit, which is endorsed by DEWA, which is aligned to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to diversify energy sources in the Emirate, and implement the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 and other strategic development projects to sustainably meet the growing demand for energy. These will all help to achieve the vision of our leadership and support the strategy of Dubai Government, to achieve the sustainable development of Dubai, said Al Tayer.

Many governments around the world, including the Government of Dubai, attach great importance to partnerships between the public and private sectors. It has been proven that we all need to work together to develop the economy, and use the capabilities, resources, and expertise of both the public and private sectors to do so. The two sectors should work hand-in-hand to build and operate all types of projects rather than one sector alone face all the challenges that must be overcome in order to succeed, said Al Tayer.

DEWA encourages such partnerships in the energy sector based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, such as in the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, and the Hassyan Clean-Coal Power Plant. DEWA has also called for wide international participation in the energy sector. This was demonstrated by the trust and interest of international investors in large-scale projects that are supported by the Government of Dubai.

We hope that this summit will create investment opportunities between the public and private sectors in power generation and water desalination in the Middle East, and highlight the importance of such partnerships for sustainable development in the long run. We also hope that it encourages sustainable planning to save vital resources, particularly in electricity generation and water desalination. DEWAs endorsement of this event supports its ongoing efforts to promote the sustainable development of Dubai and the UAE, by launching sustainable-development projects and leading environmental initiatives, and sponsoring conferences and events, which enhance the position of Dubai in sustainability and smart infrastructure, regionally and globally, said Al Tayer.

We hope this summit will serve as a platform to exchange views among key energy organisations, form recommendations for effective partnerships between energy companies, and discuss expectations of experts and specialists about the future of the energy industry in the Middle East, concluded Al Tayer.