World Future Energy Summit 2010

The UK’s relationship with MASDAR and the UAE strengthened at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES), 18 - 22 January 2010.

Ed Miliband Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change joined the DECC’s UK Renewables Service team to show the UK as a place for renewable energy excellence at the third WFES.

The event provided a global platform and numerous networking opportunities for industry leaders, investors, scientists and policymakers to discuss the challenges of rising energy demand and the protection of the global environment.

More than 23,000 delegates attended from 130 countries including Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, Australasia and the Middle East – a 25 per cent increase over last year’s figures – with twice as many countries hosting national pavilions, among them the UK, China, France, Spain, the US, Germany, Japan, Switzerland and The Netherlands.

Capitalising on the UK’s presence at WFES in both previous years UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and the Department of Energy and Climate Change led a UK Group of 12 SMEs exhibiting on the UK pavilion in addition to the 100 strong contingent of UK companies exhibiting at the show showcasing the UK as a significant player in the Renewable Energy Sector.

Amongst the global political leaders present, the Ed Miliband’s attendance highlighted the Government’s serious commitment to the reduction of co2, and it’s legally binding target to produce 15% of energy by renewable sources by 2020, as well as consolidating the UK’s relationship with MASDAR and the UAE.

The success of WFES is a further boost to Abu Dhabi’s position as a renewable energy hub.  Ed Miliband said, “I think this is the centre of the clean energy revolution that is going on around the world.”

The Department of Energy and Climate Change hosted a UK side event which promoted the UKs strengths in offshore wind engaging guest speakers including Ed Crooks of the Financial Times and Nick Gardiner of BNP Fortis Bank in promoting the attractiveness of the UK market. In particular the business and investment opportunities for overseas companies looking to set up in the UK, whilst also supporting UK companies in gaining access to overseas opportunities.

Nick Gardiner, Head of Renewable Energy, BNP Paribas Fortis Bank, summarised how DECC is stimulating business by showing leadership in the growing industry,

"The work of DECC's UK Renewables Service in promoting the UK as the leading offshore wind market is crucial in creating awareness of how offshore wind will play a significant role in achieving the UK target of producing 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.  Having participated in presenting the UK's excellence in offshore wind, it is encouraging to see the UK Government's commitment in proactively supporting the development of this exciting sector.

As a leading investor in offshore wind, the promotion of the UK's position as the leading offshore opportunity is one that benefits the entire supply chain. The attractiveness of the UK offshore wind market for overseas companies will mean the creation of green jobs and will require some £100 billion of investment."

Presentations from the seminar 

Watch the UK offshore wind video

Related news

£1m to fund research into renewable energy policy in the UK and UAE

During WFES, DECC and the United Arab Emirates announced a joint £1m renewable energy policy research project. DECC and the Masdar Institute have agreed to co-fund research which draws on domestic experiences of policy designed to promote renewables deployment.

The research will support the work of the [IRENA] to advise nations on putting renewable energy legislation in place. Dr al Jaber described the partnership as creating "the kind of innovative solution the global challenge of climate change needs."

DECC and the Masdar Institute are also launching a partnership made up of government bodies and private sector companies to be directed and hosted by the Masdar Institute. The partnership will develop, support and guide small businesses as they look to deploy low carbon energy sources on a massive scale. London-based sustainable financiers Earth Capital Partners have estimated a potential investment opportunity for the private sector of up to £2bn.

UK Energy & Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change said, "These two new collaborative projects are examples of exactly the type of global collaborative effort that we must encourage to tackle climate change problems."

The Provost of the Masdar Institute, Dr John Perkins, said, "We are excited by the potential of our new relationship with DECC and the leading thinkers, researchers and officials working in renewable energy policy in the UK. A key part of our mission is to help translate ideas to the market and working with SMEs from the UK and the UAE to grow and be successful is essential in establishing a thriving renewable energy sector in both our countries. I look forward to seeing the fruits of the partnership at the European Future Energy Forum in London in October."