Abu Dhabi, January 16 ,2014: Industry professionals from around the world will convene in Abu Dhabi for the 7th World Future Energy Summit (WFES), hosted by Masdar, from 20-22 January, to discuss the latest challenges and solutions in renewable energy, clean technology and sustainability.
Naji Haddad, Show Director for the Summit, said the conference programme will engage political, business, finance, academic and industry leaders to drive innovation, business and investment opportunities in response to the growing need for sustainable energy.
“WFES is where leaders come to talk and collaborate: world leaders, business leaders, thought leaders. They will all be at WFES to share their personal perspectives and inspirational stories, and offer real world solutions.”
Approximately 125 experts are expected to deliver thought-provoking speeches on topics such as waste-to-energy — covered for the first time at WFES — the role of natural gas, energy efficiency, the need to betterutilise readily available technologies, and the changing dynamics of consumer behaviour.
“The opening day of WFES will set the global energy context and considerthe opportunities and challenges facing the industry in the year ahead. Day two will focus on innovation and how it can be encouraged to develop the next generation of sustainable energy technologies,” said El Haddad.
El Haddad said the contribution of industry expertswill be crucial to determine how the world will focus its future efforts on sustainable practices, opportunities and investments. Energy storage is a case in point, which will be highlighted in a conference session moderated by Dr Ali Nourai of DNV GL Energy.
“WFES is a highly credible conference for meeting and exchanging ideas with other thought leaders,” said Dr Nourai.
Among those speaking atWFES for the first time are Jos Verbeek, Lead Economist at the World Bank; Kate Hampton, Executive Director at Climate Change at Children’s Investment Fund Foundation; Paddy Padmanathan, President and Chief Executive Officer of ACWA Power; and Masakatu Toyoda, Chairman and CEO at The Institute of Energy, Japan.
“People are flocking to cities like never before in human history,” said Jos Verbeek, who will participate in the session‘Energy and Society – Transforming Cities’ on January 21. “With over 80% of global goods and services being produced in cities, urban areas have been spectacular in improving people’s livelihoods and in reducing poverty. However, to maintain that momentum, reliable and affordable green energy is a must and is one of the biggest challenges urban centresface going forward.”
Paddy Padmanathan, CEO ACWA Power, will speak on the plenary panel ‘Transforming the Energy Mix’ on day three of WFES 2014, January 22.
“ACWA Power is focused on reliably delivering electricity and desalinated water and is becoming increasingly involved in developing renewable energy. WFES has established itself as the premier event focused on this sector, bringing all stakeholders under one roof: policy makers, private sector experts, and leaders from civil society.”
Other renowned authorities addressing conference delegates are Santiago Seage, CEO ofAbengoa Solar;Wim Tomas, Chief Energy Advisorat Shell Netherlands; and Daniel Kammen, Professor of Energy at the University of California, Berkley.
The 7th annual World Future Energy Summit will be co-located with the second edition of the International Water Summit and the inaugural EcoWASTE exhibition, also hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, from January 20-22 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
WFES 2014 is the centerpiece of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, held from January 18-25, an annual platform on the inter-connected challenges impacting the widespread adoption of renewable energy and the acceleration of sustainable development.
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World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2014
Held under the patronage of H.H General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the 7th edition of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) runs from 20-22 January 2014 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre with the theme of ‘Powering the Future of Energy Innovation and Investment’.
Since its inception in 2008, WFES has grown to become the leading discussion platform for renewable energy, clean technology and sustainability, and it is now considered the preeminent international event for government and industry decision makers to find viable, sustainable solutions to the world’s growing energy challenges.
Hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, WFES 2014 is the centrepiece of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the largest ever gathering on sustainability in the Middle East. The event comprises a world-class conference that offers an unparalleled forum for political, business and intellectual debate and a large-scale exhibition which facilitates networking and transactions between manufacturers, suppliers and customers across both the public and private sectors.
For more information, visit www.worldfutureenergysummit.com
For further information on WFES please contact:
Naji El Haddad
Show Director – WFES
Email: naji.haddad@reedexpo.ae
T: (+971) 2 4090 499