Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
World Utilities Congress and the Arab Water Forum 2024, held concurrently at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi drew more than 12,000 attendees, 180+ exhibitors, and 280+ global speakers from September 16-18.
The events offered a platform for attendees to get acquainted with groundbreaking innovations, engage in expertise exchange, as well as form partnerships within the fields of utilities and water.
Running in parallel with the 16th Arab Water Forum, which targeted water security and scarcity issues, the World Utilities Congress provided a leading forum for discussions on the future of sustainable and affordable energy.
Eng. Mohamed Al Hadhrami, Acting Director for Energy Efficiency Performance at the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, shared insights with Aletihad about their participation in the congress.
He detailed how the Department showcased its initiatives and policies to highlight Abu Dhabi’s contributions to energy sustainability and carbon reduction.
“This time, we are highlighting several initiatives, especially projects in Abu Dhabi related to energy, and how they contribute to sustainability, particularly in reducing carbon emissions.”
One key initiative is the Demand Side Management (DSM) Strategy for Abu Dhabi Efficiency, which aims to cut electricity consumption by 22% and water consumption by 32% by 2030.
This strategy, in effect since 2019, includes new programmes focused on municipal and transport efficiency to enhance energy efficiency and environmental protection.
“Through this strategy, we aim to cut carbon emissions by 9 million tonnes by 2030, which aligns with the UAE’s net-zero ambitions for 2050,” Al Hadhrami added.
The strategy update aims to align with UAE’s ambitious targets and upcoming projects, focusing on savings and sustainability.
He wrapped up by expressing how the event fosters international collaboration, noting, “We are pleased to see entities from all over the world engaging here in the UAE. This promotes greater interaction and strengthens relations between countries, enabling us to assess our technologies, strategies, and regulations globally.”
Moreover, speaking to Aletihad, Dr. Wael Elamin, Medical Director at M42, discussed their partnership with the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council at the Central Testing Laboratory.
He underlined the crucial role of ensuring energy safety and sustainability.
“Humans are the biggest consumers of energy and producers of waste. So, we must ensure that the energy we consume, whether electricity, water, or energy generated by nuclear reactors, is safe to produce, safe to consume, and safe for the planet after consumption,” Dr. Elamin said. Their mission is to safeguard human health and minimise risks from poor practices, with plans to expand services in the coming years to provide quality and conformity testing for food, water, and wastewater, ensuring it does not harm the oceans.
He noted that the Central Testing Lab, one of the largest and most advanced in the region, uses technology and data to develop efficient testing methods for food, water, and wastewater, monitoring wastewater for pandemic tracking and preventing harmful chemical dumping.
He added that future plans include establishing labs to ensure the conformity of energy production supplies and materials.
Furthermore, Eng. Khaled Al Hashmi, Long-Term Projects Team Leader at Nawah Energy Company, a subsidiary of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), discussed the role of nuclear energy in the UAE with Aletihad.
“We are here at this congress as part of a knowledge transfer effort, educating attendees about the UAE’s growing demand for nuclear energy, and highlighting the progress of our projects as we move towards a cleaner energy future,” he said.
Their participation highlights the UAE’s goal of net-zero emissions and its role as a leading clean energy producer. A key aspect of this commitment is the safe operation of their four nuclear units, he said.
Elaborating on the project being showcased at the congress, Al Hashmi said, “Our project is one of the largest in the region, producing 5,600 MW daily from four units, with each unit supplying 1,400 MW. This is the highest in the country and the Arab region, delivering clean energy without disruption, all the while adhering to our net-zero journey by ensuring zero carbon emissions.”
