Today's Edition
Mays Ibrahim (ABU DHABI)
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the 3rd World Utilities Congress opened on Monday at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
The event, organised by the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), aims to address the pressing global challenges in the utilities sector.
In his address during the opening ceremony, His Excellency Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, highlighted the UAE’s progress in clean energy, noting that it now constitutes 27.83% of the country’s energy mix, with a target to exceed 30% by 2030.
Al Mazrouei emphasised that the UAE has doubled its renewable energy capacity since 2019 and plans to reach 14 gigawatts by the end of the decade.
In his address, Al Mazrouei stressed the importance of international cooperation, revealing the UAE’s $45 billion investment in global renewable projects and the recent $100 million partnership with the United States for the Aspire project, which aims to generate 100 gigawatts of renewable energy. He also pointed out the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to diversify energy sources, enhance sustainability, and secure necessary investments, noting that global infrastructure faces significant challenges.
Al Mazrouei urged participants to use the congress as a platform for knowledge exchange and to address the anticipated increase in global electricity demand, which is projected to double by 2030.
The World Utilities Congress 2024 is expected to bring together over 12,000 attendees, including 180+ exhibitors and 280+ speakers from around the world.
The congress, which lasts until September 18, will feature more than 110 conference sessions focusing on strategic and technical insights, aiming to foster collaboration and innovation in the energy and water sectors.
