DEWA hosts two events celebrating International Day of Clean Energy

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) hosted the ‘Renewables Talk’ and ‘Women in Diplomacy’ events to mark the International Day of Clean Energy, which is observed annually on 26 January. The events, organised by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), were held at DEWA’s Sustainability and Innovation Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.

HE Dr Amna Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment; HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA; and Francesco La Camera, Director General of IRENA, delivered the opening remarks at the event, which was attended by HE Dr Nawal Al Hosany, Permanent Representative of the UAE to IRENA, and several high-level guests and delegations. The two platforms, launched by the UAE and represented by its Permanent Mission to IRENA, in collaboration with the energy agency, facilitate the exchange of knowledge and enhance communication opportunities among member states and relevant partners in the field. These initiatives play a vital role in advancing a sustainable, safe, inclusive and equitable energy transition, ensuring the achievement of net zero.

The Renewables Talk serves as a bridge between IRENA, its permanent representatives and the diplomatic community in the UAE. It provides a platform for experts and stakeholders to share experiences and expertise, as well as showcase opportunities and highlight projects and best practice in the renewable energy sector. The Women in Diplomacy event strengthens the diplomatic network, particularly in recognising the pivotal role of women in the renewable energy sector. It fosters knowledge exchange and builds partnerships that accelerate the transition to renewable energy while addressing the impact of climate change.

The UAE drives the change

Al Dahak said: “Collective action to tackle the rising climate crisis has never been more important. With 2024 confirmed as the first calendar year that average global temperatures exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, we are demonstrating in the UAE that action is the only answer. Clean energy solutions offer the world a pathway to long-term, low-carbon energy security. In the UAE, we are driving this change through our national target to achieve Net Zero by 2050 and with several major projects in clean energy both at home and abroad, including in the Global South.”

“Today, as we mark International Day of Clean Energy, we must not only celebrate the progress and opportunities of clean energy but also renew our collective commitment to act urgently to accelerate the global energy transition, ensuring no one is left behind as we deliver a future where clean energy powers progress, drives equity, and safeguards our planet for generations to come,” she added.

Dubai is a global beacon for renewable energy

In his speech, Al Tayer noted that DEWA’s Sustainability and Innovation Centre stands as a testament to the visionary wise leadership, embodying DEWA’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, innovation and the future of clean energy.

“We aim to establish Dubai as a global beacon for renewable and clean energy, sustainability and innovation, propelled by the ambitious initiatives and transformative achievements of our nation. These aspirations are aligned with the UAE’s pivotal role in advancing global climate action and securing a sustainable future for generations to come. We host two distinguished events in collaboration with IRENA and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment: the Renewables Talk and Women in Diplomacy. These events hold special significance. The Sustainability and Innovation Centre has become more than a platform; it is a catalyst for innovation and a hub for propelling the energy transition towards a sustainable future. These events celebrate the International Day of Clean Energy, marking the anniversary of IRENA’s founding. This global occasion calls us to action– urging collective efforts to realise a fair, inclusive and transformative transition to sustainable energy,” said Al Tayer.

“The centre is committed to strengthening collaboration among public and private sector organisations and individuals to promote innovation in sustainability. It has become an ideal destination for those interested in expanding their technical and practical knowledge in the field of clean and renewable energy. Through this centre, we champion societal awareness, cultivate national expertise and elevate competitiveness in sustainability. Our efforts align with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100% of Dubai’s total power production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050. We believe collaboration is key. The centre fosters partnerships between the public and private sectors while serving as an invaluable resource for those seeking to deepen their knowledge in renewable and clean energy,” added Al Tayer.

“The Renewables Talk event exemplifies this spirit of collaboration, convening IRENA representatives, UAE diplomats and industry experts to exchange insights, share success stories and explore pathways for progress in the energy sector, championing renewable energy solutions as the cornerstone of a sustainable future and promoting energy security, economic prosperity and environmental well-being for all. Equally vital is the Women in Diplomacy event, which presents a unique opportunity to strengthen the network of female diplomats engaged in renewable energy and climate change to amplify their pivotal roles in shaping a sustainable future and foster collaboration towards achieving our shared goals. Women’s leadership is critical in confronting climate challenges and fostering international co-operation. Through this event, we celebrate the achievements of women, as DEWA has enhanced its investment in the female workforce, particularly in the renewable and clean energy sectors, to elevate knowledge and empowerment,” said Al Tayer.

Al Tayer explained that DEWA has 1,938 female employees working across all divisions, including 797 in the engineering and technical sectors, the largest number in the UAE, with Emirati women representing 84.83% of DEWA’s total female workforce.

“This gathering takes place at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the world’s largest single-site solar park based on the independent power producer (IPP) model. By 2030, its capacity will exceed 5,000 megawatts, utilising groundbreaking technologies such as photovoltaic panels, and concentrated solar power, in addition to green hydrogen technologies. At DEWA, we embrace the disruptive potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, including artificial intelligence, to drive energy efficiency and advance energy storage solutions,” Al Tayer noted.

“Today’s dialogue represents a shared commitment to catalysing change. Together, we can forge deeper partnerships, unlock innovative solutions and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future ending up with net zero by 2050. Let us move forward with purpose, strengthening global collaboration, sharing knowledge and empowering communities. Together, we will achieve a sustainable energy transition and illuminate the path to a brighter, more resilient future for us and generations to come,” concluded Al Tayer.

An opportunity to address climate change

La Camera said: "I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to IRENA for their steadfast partnership in these initiatives, and to DEWA for hosting us today. We are delighted to celebrate this year’s International Day of Clean Energy. It not only marks the anniversary of the foundation of IRENA on 26 January 2009. It also is a clear reminder about the role of renewable energy as a key enabler for prosperous lives and livelihoods and commitment to gender equity in the energy transition. With renewables we have an opportunity to address climate change, foster sustainable development, reduce pollution and shape a clean energy future for all."

Pivotal role of women in clean energy

Following the keynote speeches, a joint session was held as part of the 18th edition of the Renewables Talk and the 10th edition of the Women in Diplomacy event. The session, focused on advancing gender equity and energy innovation, explored best practice in integrating women in diplomacy and energy leadership, and fostered ideas for cross-sectoral partnerships that can support gender equity and energy innovation. The session also celebrated the pivotal contributions of women in clean and renewable energy, emphasising their innovative approaches and adoption of advanced global technologies to enhance climate action and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future.

Tour of the Sustainability and Innovation Centre

The events concluded with a tour of DEWA’s Sustainability and Innovation Centre, where participating delegations explored the latest advancements in clean and renewable energy. They were briefed on the centre’s innovative and interactive exhibits, showcasing solutions built on the disruptive technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The solutions showcased the UAE’s leadership in adopting clean and renewable energy sources, with a focus on landmark projects like the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world, developed under the IPP model.