A total of 29 French firms will take part in the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) and International Water Summit (IWS) running from January 18 to 21 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Business France, the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy, is once again organizing the French participation in partnership with the French embassy in the UAE, the Club ADEME International and the French Renewable Energy Federation (Syndicat des Energies Renouvelables).

France has the second largest wind power potential in Europe behind the UK, a statement said.

It is also Europe's fifth leading country in terms of sunshine, abundant water resources, major forest areas, the world's second largest exclusive economic zone, just behind the US, it added.

France is Europe's third largest producer of renewable energy. In 2014, France produced 91 TWh of electricity from renewable energy. Revenue from the French renewable energy sector amounts to €11.32 billion ($12.35 billion). France is the leading producer of water treatment equipment and is ranked within the top five global exporters in the air sector.

The Gulf countries have set a goal to integrate 7 per cent of renewable energy into their energy mix by 2020 (i.e. 1,500 MW). By 2020, energy consumption of these countries is set to double. The United Arab Emirates massively invests in renewable energy, water and the environment. A concrete example is the Masdar eco-city, the Shams 1 solar power station.

The numerous projects underway in the Gulf countries attract successful French businesses in the renewable energy, water and waste sectors. Their participation in the WFES & IWS trade show will help them to promote their offer in the Middle East and bolster their contact list, the statement said. – TradeArabia News Service