HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) received Alun Davies AM, Minister for Natural Resources and Food of the Welsh cabinet, who was accompanied by a high-level delegation. The meeting was attended by DEWA staff including Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Strategy & Business Development, Khawla Al Mehairi, Vice President of Marketing & Corporate Communications, Ahmed Abdullah, Senior Manager of External Communications and Arif Julfar, Manager of Media & Marketing. The talks focused on strengthening mutual relations, particularly energy and the latest developments in the global energy sector.

Al Tayer presented DEWAs strategy and highlighted initiatives and projects, and the mission to become a sustainable world-class utility, and the progress towards achieving the UAE Vision 2021 objectives by the Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to promote the sustainable development of the Emirate of Dubai, and to complement the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 to diversify the energy mix by 2030. The strategy aims to boost Dubais strategic efforts to secure sustainable energy and improve demand efficiency, and to diversify the energy mix to so that 71% of Dubais total power output comes from natural gas by 2030, 12% from nuclear energy, 12% from clean coal, and 5%.from renewable energy

The Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy seeks to reduce energy demand by 30% by 2030. This step confirms the commitment of Dubai Government to provide an appropriate regulatory infrastructure that supports business growth, expansion and sustainability. This is supported by DEWAs establishment of the Etihad Energy Service Company (Super ESCO) initiative, to create a solid foundation for energy service companies (ESCOs), and adopt a clear vision to develop energy efficiency in buildings in Dubai by service organizations. The initiative will also promote energy efficiency for more than 30,000 buildings in Dubai. Through this, DEWA will apply conditions and specifications for green buildings of all types, including commercial, government, residential and other buildings. These are important measures as they focus on energy efficiency, cooling equipment (Chillers), Building Management System (BMS) and the use of renewable energy, Al Tayer added.

During the visit Al Tayer mentioned DEWAs key initiatives and projects, most notably the expansion of the power and water desalination plant (M Station) which will produce 2,660MW, the Hassyan Clean Coal Power Plant, which will produce 1,200MW and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which will also produce 1,000 MW on completion. The smart grid project and the creation of 30 major substations will also add to Dubais growth.

The Welsh Government has a clearly-mapped strategy for energy security with significant investments in on-and offshore wind energy, renewable energy, nuclear energy, waste-reduction and an active community engagement plan in cities and rural areas to encourage people to be part of this strategy. We have an energy-efficiency programme that incorporates the latest energy technologies to make the most of this energy mix policy, said Alun Davies.