The Federal Electricity & Water Authority (FEWA) showcased a collection of its most ground-breaking projects as it took part in the 24th World Energy Congress, which was inaugurated in Abu Dhabi today under the theme ‘Energy for Prosperity’.
The Authority’s displayed projects centre around one strategic objective that echoes the UAE’s vision to embrace clean energy and benefit from it to achieve sustainable development, address climate challenges, reduce the carbon footprint, and minimise the effects of greenhouse gas emissions, in line with the UAE Energy Strategy 2050.
The list of projects included the Electric Car Charging Stations programme, whereby charging stations would be installed in more than 50 locations around the Northern Emirates, including shopping malls, hospitals, and other public spaces. In addition, the ‘Your Home, Our Care’ project was presented; it seeks to promote a culture of efficient energy consumption among citizens by replacing lighting systems in their homes with energy-saving ones.
Furthermore, the Authority showcased – in a 3D model – Ras Al Khaimah’s Ghalilah Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant. One of the largest of its kind, the facility helps economise wasted energy by more than 24%, and produces nearly 15 million gallons of desalinated water per day to meet the growing demand for drinking water.
The Smart Metres Project was also presented at the event; the system stands out for its accuracy, where it uses artificial intelligence (AI) to estimate the amounts of water or electricity consumed, alerting users to any potential leaks or malfunctions in their home. FEWA had broken ground on a new project to install 750,000 smart metres in the Northern Emirates and other areas where it provides electricity and water services, to be tied in with the billing and customer relations systems. The project will continue to be operational until the year 2021.
On a similar note, the Authority presented its vision for the future of sustainable energy and diversifying energy sources. A leading approach to achieving this objective is an increased reliance on solar energy, and a prominent project in that regard is the planned solar power plant in Umm al-Quwain, set to boast a 500 MW capacity, cover an area of seven million square metres, and cut CO2 emissions by around 560,000 tonnes.
H.E. Mohammed Mohammed Saleh, Director General of the Federal Electricity and Water Authority, said: “We are proud to be taking part in this global conference, which has offered us a prominent platform to showcase our leading projects and shed light on the tremendous progress that has taken place in the electricity and water sectors. This, in turn, resonates with the vision of our wise leadership and the objectives of the UAE Energy Strategy 2050.”
“We, at the Authority, are working in accordance with a clear and ambitious strategic national plan to improve quality of life and maintain sustainable growth,” H.E. added. “Our initiatives seek to enhance the competitiveness of the electricity and water sector, attract investment, and create more opportunities for partnerships with the private sector. This, in turn, leads to improved services, greater energy security and environmental sustainability, and a more competitive energy sector with laws and legislations that attract foreign investment.”
Organised by the World Energy Council since 1924, the World Energy Congress is held once every three years in a major city or capital around the world. It is the largest international gathering that focuses on addressing challenges in the energy sector, and outlining plans for the future of the energy industry, with a host of prominent experts and international decision makers from the global energy sector in attendance.
This edition of the Congress marks the first time the event is held in an Arab city, and the UAE is the first member of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to host the World Energy Congress.
