Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was present for the signing of a groundbreaking agreement between Expo City Dubai and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). The agreement aims to power Expo City entirely with renewable energy, marking a momentous milestone in its pursuit of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
The signing ceremony was also attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.
In an effort to enhance Expo City’s existing on-site renewable energy capacity, DEWA will now supply solar energy to the entire site on a permanent basis. This will be achieved through the utilization of International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs) obtained from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. This initiative is in line with the core objectives of COP28.
In its initial phase, Expo City will provide more than 100,000 megawatt-hours of power, calculated based on the projected total consumption for 2023. To accommodate the increasing energy demands of the community, additional I-RECs will be integrated in the future. Additionally, Expo City has plans to independently expand its on-site energy capacity in the coming years.
The transition to renewable energy sources will bring about various benefits for the tenants and future residents of Expo City, as well as for the increasing number of events hosted on site. This shift is of particular importance as Expo City gears up to host the COP28 summit, enabling the facilitation of a carbon-neutral event and aligning with the conference’s strong emphasis on the global shift towards clean energy.
Read more: UAE entities to establish pioneering research consortium for sustainable aviation fuels
Ambitious spirit
In line with the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, the agreement exemplifies Dubai’s ambitious commitment to renewable energy, as demonstrated by initiatives such as the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050. It further reinforces the position of Expo City Dubai as a central hub within the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which outlines a comprehensive blueprint for sustainable urban development in the city. This agreement underscores Dubai’s dedication to a greener future and showcases its proactive approach towards renewable energy.
Distinguished attendees
The ceremony also saw the presence of distinguished individuals including Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and chairman of Expo City Dubai Authority; Reem Al Hashimy, UAE minister of International Cooperation and CEO of Expo City Dubai Authority; Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, special envoy for Climate Change, and COP28 UAE president-designate; and Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of DEWA.
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