The UAE will bid to host the 2019 World Energy Congress (WEC), one of the world’s pre-eminent energy dialogues convened every three years and which attracts more than 5,000 policy makers and private sector leaders from across the global energy industry.

Confirming this on Saturday, the UAE Minister of Energy Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, said hosting the Congress in Abu Dhabi would mark the first time in the event’s 90 year history that it has been held in one of the Opec member countries.

 “The UAE has a strong heritage of energy leadership. We have partnered without interruption with the world’s leading energy companies to ensure reliable oil and gas supply, and we are taking the same approach in new energy sectors, both domestically and globally,” said Al Mazrouei.  

The announcement came on the eve of the 22nd edition of WEC in Daegu, South Korea, where the UAE is represented by one of the most diverse delegations, drawn from the government agencies and companies managing its multi-billion investments in hydrocarbons, renewable energy, peaceful nuclear, energy efficiency, and carbon capture and storage.  

“We are a long-time partner of WEC, and look forward to building a platform in 2019 that drives members’ investment opportunities and enhances their market outlooks,” he noted.

The UAE is rapidly diversifying its energy portfolio, with 2500 MW of renewable energy and 5.4 GW of peaceful nuclear power under development, in addition to large-scale investments in energy efficiency, carbon mitigation, and development assistance, which in 2013 alone saw allocation of over $400 million of concessional finance for fellow developing countries.

“Abu Dhabi is totally committed to hosting the World Energy Congress in the UAE capital – one of the world’s leading oil & gas cities which is equally committed to sustainable and renewable energy resources,” remarked Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, the chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority.

“In bidding for the 2019 event, we have five years in which to focus our attention to delivering a congress that will raise the bar on this international gathering,” he stated.

“I can promise you that the entire city – every relevant stakeholder – is fully behind this pitch and a dedicated Host City committee will work tirelessly to ensure all aspects of logistics delivery are seamlessly executed,” remarked Sheikh Sultan.
 
“Abu Dhabi 2019 has a certain ring to it which I hope resonates with, and enthuses the decision-makers as much as it has us,” he added


Commenting on the bid, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, the Minister of State and CEO of Masdar, the UAE’s multifaceted clean energy company, said: “As a nation, we were regional first movers within the renewable energy space, forging ahead with pioneering investments in wind and solar power.”

“We are also redefining the way our urban environments consume power, through sustainable urban developments such as Masdar City. And today, we are exporting clean energy expertise to nations that have identified a need to accelerate their renewable energy portfolios,” he stated.

Dr Matar Al Neyadi, the undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy said:“Our nation was built on its ability to forge international alliances to reliably supply the world with energy, and our hydrocarbon industry continues to grow and innovate to play this strategic role.”

“We look to WEC in 2019 as a key means to enhance global partnerships and explore the investment and technological requirements of meeting future demand – through all energy forms,” he added.

Mohamed Al Hammadi, the CEO of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation said: “The UAE is leading energy diversification and the achievement of higher quotas of energy sustainability and security of supply, such as through our peaceful nuclear energy program.”

“Under an unprecedented model of transparency and international partnership, we will meet nearly 25 per cent of national demand with carbon-free power by 2020,” he added.

“As the UAE’s leading energy company and one of the world's top 10, ADNOC will be honored to receive the World Energy Congress and make it a great success,” remarked Abdulla Nasser Al Suwaidi, the CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.

“The UAE’s strategic position and vast experience in world-class energy events like Adipec, Gastech, World Future Energy Summit, Dubai Global Energy Forum, and many others, will make it the ideal platform for the world to come together and address global energy issues,” he added.

In his comments, Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, the director of Energy and Climate Change at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: "Diversification into clean energy is no longer an abstract security concept, but a clear-cut commercial opportunity, with the Middle East emerging as one of the most exciting markets in just the last two years."

“Partnering with WEC in Abu Dhabi in 2019 will be an exceptional opportunity to evaluate the competitiveness of global energy options, leveraging the UAE’s convening power across the industry,” noted Dr Al Zeyoudi.

“We are extremely proud to bid for the 2019 World Energy Congress, said Ahmad Buti Al Muhairbi, the secretary general of Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, the emirate’s innovative energy regulator, which is responsible for cutting 30 per cent of energy consumption by 2030 and bringing online 1000 MW of solar power.

“We aim to bring new technology and best practices to our region, as well as invite international partners into our booming energy markets.”

The UAE is simultaneously making major investments in the expansion of its oil and gas production – working with the world’s leading energy companies to ensure reliable oil and gas supply globally. Current oil production is around 2.9 million barrels/day and will reach 3.5 million barrels/day by 2017.

“Taqa’s operations across the energy value chain in 11 countries across four continents are an expression of Abu Dhabi’s commitment to being a global energy leader, providing solutions for the world’s energy challenges,” said Carl Sheldon, the CEO of Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa).

Steve Peacock, the COO of Mubadala Petroleum said the company took great pride in representing the UAE at the World Energy Congress. "We hold a distinctive position in the market as a truly international, nationally-owned oil and gas company with a strong record of partnership with both national oil companies and international oil companies," he stated.

“The 2019 Congress is a good platform to reinforce and extend those relationships, and a prime opportunity to hear from various government ministers and chief executives along with international experts,” he added.

Ahmed Matar Al Mazrouei, the CEO of EmiratesLNG pointed out that the company came to being not out of one person’s vision, but the vision of a country that supports its mission to deliver secure, safe and affordable gas for a prosperous future.

"It is our honor to be part of the world-leading oil and gas industry in the UAE, and we are proud to support our country’s bid to host WEC 2019," he added.

The UAE has become an international centre of discussion on the future of the energy industry. In addition to Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the UAE capital notably hosts the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (Adipec), the largest oil and gas event in the region and the largest outside of North America.

Abu Dhabi also hosts the International Renewable Energy Agency, with over 160 member countries and the first major intergovernmental organization to be headquartered in the Middle East.-TradeArabia News Service