GE and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the founding partners of the inaugural Emirates Energy Efficiency Summit to be held in Dubai, UAE, have announced details of the speaker programme.

After a year of continued global energy crises and with renewed volatility in the crude oil market, the event will provide valuable insights into the key energy challenges the world faces in 2016, said a statement.

The invitation-only event, which takes place on February 3 and 4 at the American University in Dubai, will host an informative programme of roundtable discussions and expert presentations.

Among the speakers are Dr Mohamed Ahmed Bin Fahad and Dr Meshgan Al Awar, chairman and secretary general, respectively, of Zayed International Foundation for the Environment, who will be sharing their significant insights.

 

Also taking to the stage will be Abdulla Alshahyari, acting director of the Conservation and Efficiency Department at the UAE Ministry of Energy. 

 

With the UAE looking to lead the Middle East’s energy efficient movement, Alshahyari will share case studies and examples of best practice, drawing from the ministry’s vast experience. 

 

The attendees will learn how the country is diversifying its economy towards a future that looks increasingly likely to lie in renewable energy.

 

Working under the overarching theme of ‘Energy Efficiency in the UAE: an opportunity for sustained growth and global leadership,' the speakers will be sharing their understanding of the main components needed for successful engagement – with the content organised into three broad streams.

 

The ‘Informed’ section will consider how to educate and inspire future generations, with a focus on the role of social media in spreading important energy efficiency messages. There will be an emphasis on the increasingly important role technology plays in reducing inefficient energy use, said the statement.

 

The section will touch upon recent findings by the ‘Masdar Group’, based in Abu Dhabi, who have identified that sand could play a key role in concentrated solar power and the ramifications this  could have for the region, it said.

 

The ‘Motivated’ content stream will look at the key drivers for behavioral change and the need to tailor communications to encourage consumers and businesses to invest in energy efficiency. 

 

This is a particular salient point of discussion for the region after the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) opened avenues for private firms to invest in the state’s renewable energy market, amid budget constraints.

 

Finally, the ‘Accountable’ section will consider incentives versus legislation and the effect on the wider society. With the UAE Government's recent decision to abolish water and electric subsidies, in a bid to curb energy usage, speakers will debate whether the legislation will have its desired impact and consider what role measurability - from metering to labelling has on dictating energy use.

 

Erdem Soyal, project sales general manager for GE Middle East, Africa and Turkey (MEAT), said: “The overall objective of the EEES is to foster enhanced communication, while educating participants about key energy efficiency issues and provoking a two-way dialogue.  

 

"As such, we are keen to bring together a heavyweight program of speakers that can add real value for participants – and will ultimately drive tangible action.” - TradeArabia News Service