World Future Energy Summit Puts International Spotlight on Renewable Energy

Meeting all stated renewable energy targets in GCC countries would save 4 billion barrels of oil and reduce emissions by 1.2 gigatonnes between now and 2030, according to new figures revealed by the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) ahead of the upcoming World Future Energy Summit (WFES).

The soon-to-be released figures equate to 25 per cent less annual fossil fuel consumption in the power and water sector in 2030, and an 8 per cent overall reduction in per capita carbon footprint over the next 15 years. Nearly three-quarters, 74 per cent, of the anticipated 69 gigawatts of renewable energy produced in the GCC will be generated in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The numbers will be published in an upcoming GCC Renewable Energy Market Analysis slated for release at WFES 2016, where global industry leaders, decision-makers, business innovators, and investors will be coming together to seek the increasing market opportunities brought on by the region’s continuous investments in renewable energy.

For policymakers, an important driver behind this anticipated regional shift to renewable energy includes the socioeconomic benefits it will produce. The IRENA figures also show that because renewables, in particular solar photovoltaics, can be less water intensive than fossil fuel technologies, reaching targets would reduce consumption by 18 trillion litres, or 20 per cent, of water annually, and create roughly 130,000 direct jobs per year from now until 2030.

Part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and hosted by Masdar, WFES is an annual platform where the best and brightest minds come together to exchange ideas, explore the latest developments, and address challenges in the future energy arena. The event will take place on 18-21 January 2016, and is set to attract more than 30,000 attendees from 170 countries, and 650 exhibiting companies from more than 40 countries.

“The global energy system accounts for some two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions today.  Transitioning rapidly to a global system fuelled by renewable energy is the single most effective way to decarbonize the global economy and keep global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius, but the pace and scale of change needs to increase,” said IRENA Director-General Adnan Z. Amin. “Important gatherings like the World Future Energy Summit provide critical platforms for the knowledge-exchange needed today to advance renewable energy in the region and around the world.”

The WFES conference agenda will bring some of the world’s most influential energy leaders to the stage, including ministers, regulators, top-level industry professionals, and chief economists, who will discuss impending issues in the renewable energy sector. Topics covered will range from addressing challenges faced by the region’s utility providers, and innovative approaches to financing renewable projects, to trends that will shape the industry over the next two decades, and a country spotlight on Egypt’s solar and wind markets.

“With the demand for energy expected to increase by more than one-third over the next two decades, it is becoming essential that we diversify our resource pool to create a more sustainable model for energy security,” said Maria-Jose Nadeau, Chair of the World Energy Council. “Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all is among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 put forward by the UN, and renewables will play an integral role in making this happen.”

The 2016 edition will also see the launch of WFES Solar Expo, a dedicated area on the show floor for showcasing solar technology and innovation, helping governments to meet ambitious targets for renewable energy.

Driving sustainable transportation technology across land, sea, and air, the event will also host the first-ever WFES Sustainable Transport, featuring manufacturers and innovators, and a conference program, addressing fuel-efficient vehicle technology.

Confirmed speakers for WFES 2016 include HE Nizar Al-Adsani, Deputy Chairman and CEO, Kuwait Petroleum Company (KPC), Dominique Ristori, Director-General for Energy, European Commission, Dr Ahmad Belhoul, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, and other senior representatives from Siemens, Shell, First Solar and Saudi Aramco.

Sustainability Business Connect, a tailored networking program designed to bring together decision-makers across WFES and its partner events, will be back in 2016. This unique platform enables business to flow smoothly, and time to be spent efficiently, by pre-arranging carefully matched meetings between exhibitors and buyers from both government and private sectors. At WFES 2015, more than 1,800 meetings were organized, allowing program users to meet with the people who matter to their business.

Looking specifically at how water and waste can be used as renewable sources of energy, the International Water Summit (IWS) and EcoWaste will be co-located with WFES. A unique global platform for promoting water sustainability and efficiency, IWS will bring together world leaders, field experts, academia luminaries, and business innovators to accelerate development of new sustainable strategies and technologies.

Held in partnership with Tadweer, EcoWaste will address the region's urgent waste disposal challenges and needs in the quest for sustainable development and environmental protection.

WFES, IWS, and EcoWaste 2016 will take place on 18-21 January 2016 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.