Organising Wetex, despite the challenges of Covid-19, emphasises Dubai’s ability to convert challenges into opportunities.
Dubai intends to transform the energy sector by reducing dependence on fossil fuel and increasing the share of alternative clean energy through smart management and futuristic policies, officials said on Monday.
While speaking at the inauguration of the virtual edition of the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (Wetex) 2020 on Monday, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and President of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), said the exhibition highlights the latest solutions and innovative technologies in water, clean energy, environment, oil and gas sectors.
“The first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region, this carbon-neutral edition of the exhibition will provide an exceptional experience for both exhibitors and visitors, as well as meeting opportunities between exhibitors and decision-makers. It will also feature seminars and sessions which will be attended by officials, experts and influential figures in the green economy, smart cities and sustainability. We hope that the exhibition will see successful participations, meetings, recommendations and practical proposals to support the sustainable development locally and globally,” said Sheikh Hamdan.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dewa and chairman of Wetex and Dubai Solar Show, said that organising Wetex, despite the challenges of Covid-19, emphasises Dubai’s ability to convert challenges into opportunities. It also underlines Dewa’s state-of-the-art digital infrastructure, which continues to provide its services according to the highest standards of availability, reliability and efficiency.
Faisal Rashid, senior director for demand side management at Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, said the road map that has been devised for the emirate is to work in coordination with private sector to transform the energy and green job markets.
“We have basically depended on the fossil fuel. We are slowly shifting away from it, especially for power generation. We plan to decarbonise our energy mix. We plan to have energy and water consumption savings of 30 per cent by 2030. We also plan to increase solar energy share to 25 per cent by 2030 and clean energy share to 75 per cent by 2050,” he said.
Dubai has saved Dh6.6 billion in operational cost and capital investment since 2011 and will continue investing for the benefit of society and economy. By end of 2019, Dubai saved 5.3 billion kilowatt of power, which is reduction of 11.3 per cent, and 9.6 billion of imperial gallons of water, which amounts to reduction of 7.7 per cent.
“As part of Dubai’s green and smart strategy, the emirate will increase recycled water use by 55 per cent, reduce desalinated water demand by one-third and reduce groundwater use by 30 per cent to ensure resilient and balance supply of water. Dubai will also invest over Dh1.8 billion in additional capex for desalination capacity as part of its Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) as well as work on the improvement of depletion of groundwater, network leakage and loss of recycled water,” he said during a presentation.
With regard to environment-friendly vehicles, he said the emirate’s objective is to increase penetration of hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs).
“Dubai has a target to have 10 per cent of hybrid/EV vehicles between 2020 to 2024, 20 per cent between 2025 to 2029 and 30 per cent beyond 2030. While projected target for all of Dubai is to have two per cent penetration of hybrid/EV by 2020 and 10 per cent penetration of hybrid by 2030,” Rashid added.
“It is important for the government to lead by example and create market for EVs and hybrids. The number of registered hybrids/EVs in Dubai have increased from 5,222 in 2018 to 6,616 in 2019. As of today, Dubai has over 7,000 EVs and hybrids. In terms of share of Dubai government fleet, it has increased from 5.2 per cent in 2018 to 7.2 per cent in 2019 and we are close to eight per cent share and target is to reach 10 per cent by 2020,” he added.
Older post on Dubai Goes Green below
Online Marketing is the best place for the business as it allows companies from the world to forge international partnerships, consequently get business opportunities and drive growth. Expo 2020 Dubai has launched its own integrated Online Market Place. This project enables users to showcase their services and products to consumers across the world.
This online market place will enhance the reach of Expo 2020 participants, contractors, licensees as well as other registered businesses. This allows the existing firms to promote their supply by providing them with tender opportunities.
Companies including small, medium, and big firms will not have to pay any fees to use this platform. This free-to-use platform will create a long-lasting impact on the economy by supporting all types of companies including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In Dubai Expo 2020 event, the companies will be experiencing high increment in the revenue as there will be millions of individuals ready to buy products and services from these companies.
This free-to-use platform will create a long-lasting impact on the economy by supporting all types of companies including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The Vice president, Richard McGuire said: “This World Expo is not only a chance to showcase their innovations and new ideas but is also an opportunity that is going to benefit our economy. It will also establish new connections between all kinds of businesses.
“Through the OMP, we aim to promote innovation and drive global economic progress by providing the platform to the companies to connect, cooperate, and expand their enterprises.”
More than 200 participants, including corporations, non-government organizations, nations, and educational institutions are expected to take part in Expo 2020 Dubai.
Advantages of Expo 2020
1 Aviation and transport
Dubai is already one of the most popular places to spend holidays. Hundreds of thousands of visitors from western countries, Asian nations and other parts of the world travel to Dubai on monthly basis to experience beach life, fireworks shows, and desert tour. 17.5 Million willcome flocking to the Dubai 2020 Expo averaging 300,000 per day. This means that aviation and transport will be as busy as ever.
This event is going to provide high benefits to several domestic and international airlines companies as they will be serving airline service to millions of passengers who have planned to attend Dubai Expo 2020. The transportation system in Dubai has got great attention due to this mega event. Construction of a new metro line is one of the mega projects under the preparations of Expo event. The same infrastructure has to be expanded and maintained for optimum performance.Analyst Ahmad says that competing host cities for Expo 2020 in Russia, Brazil and Turkey are nowhere in the match of Dubai in terms of their airports, geographic location, and flag carriers.
2 Tourism and hospitality
Dubai greeted more than 10 million international visitors in 2012, but according to official surveys, there is an increase of 9 percent as compared to the year before. Dubai has been one of the favorite tourist destinations for people living all around the world.
But, Dubai 2020 Expo has doubled the number of visitors to 20 million annually. Dubai authorities estimate that the expo will create 111000 new jobs in the restaurant and hotel sectors alone. Presence of such a high number of foreign and local tourists will increase the revenue of tourism and hospitality sectors. Tour and travel agencies, hotels, restaurants, cab services, and other sectors are set to make significant contribution towards the successful organization of the event by not letting visitors face difficulty in finding high-quality food items, accommodations, and transportation commodities.
3 Real estate and construction
According to a current report by Standard Chartered, average property prices rose by 30% in the last 12 months. Expo 2020 will contribute towards the sustainability of the housing market. The Expo 2020 Dubai helps to spur a new construction growth in the emirates.
The government has increased its focus on basic infrastructure requirements including transportation, electricity, and accommodation.
4 Creation of jobs
A recent report published revealed that Expo 2020 will create 300,000 direct jobs and at least a million indirect jobs. Approximately 90% of these jobs will be in the travel and tourism sector between 2018 and 2021. Special skills such as knowledge of industrial architecture, infrastructure development, and engineering will be highly sought after skills for the Expo 2020 Dubai.
This event is going to be proved as an excellent opportunity to get employment opportunities as several projects are scheduled in the event.
6 Creating the future
The theme of the Expo is “Connecting minds, creating the future.” Environmental sustainability is also one of the likely themes and only time will tell us what else Dubai has planned to wow the world. People will be sharing their knowledge, ideas, and innovations which will help the businesses to design, create and make new products and services in a collective manner.
Dubai 2020 Expo has announced a new partnership with Dulsco, who will support them in averting 85% of its waste away from the landfill.
Dulsco will facilitate the reuse, recycle, reduce and repurposing of waste using advanced technologies.
As the official Waste Management Partner, it will execute innovative resolutions, and support Dubai in an aim to host one of the most sustainable World Expos ever.
Dulsco Waste2Resource (W2R) facility, which is located in South Dubai, will help to avert waste from landfill and this will be accomplished using latest technologies to reuse, reduce, recycle and repurpose.
