Johan Soderstrom, EVP and Head of EMEA region at Hitachi Energy, highlighted COP28's significance in driving efforts to transform the energy sector while noting that accelerating the adoption of renewable energy sources worldwide will help reduce emissions and mitigate climate change repercussions.

 

In remarks to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Soderstrom said that cooperation is essential for the transformation of the energy sector.

 

He expressed hope that the pace of adopting renewable energy sources will accelerate globally and that this transition will be made accessible to everyone. "The energy transition is a critical step," he said.

 

Soderstrom pointed out that the world needs a new approach to cooperation and partnership. This would involve research, technology adoption, new business models, international standards, investments, and regulatory frameworks.

 

He explained that the region's ambitious sustainability goals, such as the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, are perfectly aligned with Hitachi Energy's mission to provide sustainable energy solutions.

 

Soderstrom said that through its core technologies and portfolio of products, systems, software, and services, Hitachi is contributing to decarbonising the current and future energy infrastructure. The company is also continuing to make progress towards its goal of reducing emissions from its operations by 80 per cent by 2030.

 

He noted that high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology, which Hitachi Energy introduced to the market more than 60 years ago, has become a critical enabler for integrating and interconnection large-scale renewable energy sources. With the latest generation of HVDC transmission technology, Hitachi Energy is working to reduce energy emissions by more than 30 per cent.