Dubai (UAE): Middle East Energy 2023 concluded at the Dubai World Trade Centre after three days full of sessions and workshops, with the attendance of more than 132 countries participants.
The three-day show recorded not only cross-continental partnerships, but significant growth in the number of national pavilions from all over the world.
Middle East Energy, which ran from 7th-9th March, was the region’s leading exhibition for exploring the plans and policies set to shape the future energy outlook of the Middle East, as well as educating attendees on the state of play of the sector.
On Thursday’s final day, Business France Middle East, the organising body for the country’s presence in Dubai this week, revealed the French Pavilion had recorded a 154 percent increase in exhibiting companies compared to last year.
Meanwhile, a member of the parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean PAM, Ammar Moussi said, “the Middle East Energy 2023 has certainly given all the policymakers and solutions providers a platform to discuss the problem and look for the solutions.”
The three-day show at Dubai World Trade Centre opens with more than 900 energy suppliers, focus falls on transition to renewables, particularly solar. #MiddleEastEnergy #MiddleEast #Energy #renewable #SOLAR @mariammalmheiri @SultanAhmedAl14 @rbalsaud #COP28 pic.twitter.com/2Ie0Hw4ZQq
— Dr. Shahid Siddiqui (@shahidsiddiqui) March 7, 2023
“Whole MENA region and the Middle East has hope from UAE to see some solid deliverables from COP28 this year to be held in Dubai”, he further added.
Earlier to this, Nicolas Daher, Lead Energy Analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) outline the present and projected both globally and within the Middle East and North Africa.
Daher said the war in Ukraine has forced national policies to change focus from energy transition to energy security, delaying the phasing out of coal-fired power generation, and prompting increased investment in fossil fuels infrastructure.
In the MENA region, fossil fuels represent 98 per cent of total energy consumption, said Daher. Add to that the fact the region’s energy demands are expected to grow 1.8 per cent annually – making it the second-fastest growing region in the world after Asia – and the Middle East faces a balancing act of decarbonising while meeting increased demand.
Similarly, Maher Al Kaabi, advisor to the Group chairman, Alserkal Group Of Companies also echoed the same. He said, “Renewable energy is not new for UAE. Since last over 15 years United Arab Emirates has been working on it and everyone should join hands to make it reality for the world community.”
Just couple days ago COP28 UAE President-Designate Sultan Al Jaber also highlighted the need for unity and solidarity in tackling the energy ‘trilemma’ and fighting the climate change.
“This is a global challenge that calls for global solutions from every stakeholder acting in unity and solidarity,” he said in a keynote address at the CERAWeek, an influential global energy forum in Houston, USA.
An American businessman and CEO of Disruptive Energy Solutions, Malador Sowe expressed the similar opinion as Sultan Al Jaber. Malador was here in Dubai to participate and explore the new innovations and solutions in Energy sector at Middle East Energy 2023.
Though he was not sure about the immediate positive results, but the discussion and practical approach taken by UAE government has certainly given him confidence.
Malador Sowe said, “We understand the problem when we talk about energy, but the next stage is how to get the solutions. As we have seen many discussions before without any concrete solutions. But we have hope from UAE and COP28 under it’s presidency this year. ”
Why #Africa has more expectations from #UAE ? A detailed discussion coming soon from #Dubai… Here’s 👇🏻the Trailer …#WATCH @UAEembassyIndia @mohapuae @UAEICP @TeamEmiratesUAE @UAE_BARQ_EN @DubaiDET @AfricaWnn @AfricanLiberals https://t.co/5sJppQ8F0Y pic.twitter.com/SfR8M2SXMp
— Dr. Shahid Siddiqui (@shahidsiddiqui) March 8, 2023
Covering the strategic and technical disciplines at Middle East Energy 2023- each conference featured sessions covering vital themes in 21st century climate crisis and beyond.
The conference gave delegates from around the world the chance to learn best practice from the front line and meet the sector leaders.
Sufu Peng, Managing Director at MAXGE Electric Technology, said the global reach of Middle East Energy is key to his business. While Azzan Mohammed, Exhibition Director, (Energy Portfolio – MEA at Informa), the event organisers, said the increased international presence demonstrates the “global stature” of this year’s show.
“Middle East Energy has been leading the narrative on energy in this region for close to half a century now,” Mohammed said.
Despite progress in establishing renewable energy sources and its transition across GCC, large-scale development faces numerous hurdles. Even though their importance varies from country to country, UAE has certainly taken a lead in setting the narrative.
-Dr. M Shahid Siddiqui (PhD), Follow via Twitter @shahidsiddiqui
