World Utilities Congress at the forefront of delivering a sustainable energy future

The utilities industry globally and in the region is at the heart of the accelerated transformation to a cleaner energy future, and the World Utilities Congress 2023, hosted by TAQA, is a vital platform to facilitate the ideas and the action necessary for that journey.

That was the key sentiment at the opening ceremony of the second edition of the World Utilities Congress in Abu Dhabi on Monday, with a distinguished panel addressing the packed gathering at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC): Her Highness Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and Chief Executive Officer of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA); His Excellency Suhail Bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; His Excellency Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, United Arab Emirates; Jasim Husain Thabet, Group CEO & Managing Director of TAQA; and His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation.

“The World Utilities Congress this year has created the perfect platform to reflect the voices of the next genera with the launch of the Youth Energy Forum, which will bring young people from around the region for three days of discussions, partnership and action,” HH Sheikha Shamma told the opening ceremony gathering.

“It is the creativity, imagination and the participation of youth in decision making that will lead to a lasting impact in climate action,” she added, highlighting the critical importance of prioritising green skills, capacity building and career pathways for youth to enable an accelerated energy transition. Applauding the World Utilities Congress 2023 as the global meeting point for the industry, she said that the focus on a sustainable and low-carbon future was a testament to the commitment of TAQA to play a leading role in the energy transition.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the second edition of the World Utilities Congress, hosted by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), is taking place in Abu Dhabi from the 8-10 May, 2023. Organised by dmg events, the Congress is supported by the UAE’s Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC).

In his speech, HE Suhail Bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei highlighted the urgent global need to diversify the energy sources to the grid and invest in the grid itself, replacing old turbines that emit higher CO2. Energy leaders around the world also need to act quickly and formulate their own clean energy policies as well as unique solutions, he said.

The World Utilities Congress 2023 comes in a significant year for the UAE – when it is celebrating the Year of Sustainability and is all set to welcome the world for COP28 later this year. The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure is at the forefront of driving the transition for utility companies and the sector, and that is a journey that requires more investments and collaboration to ensure a quicker and faster embrace of a low carbon future, he said.

Exhorting the industry to adopt a new approach to power generation, Jasim Husain Thabet of TAQA said: “We need a transformation on a grand scale – we must rewire the global energy system if we are to reach global net zero goals.” He urged the industry to look at a range of technologies tailored to national circumstances – including nuclear, renewables, natural gas with CCS and so on with an “all of the above” approach.

The Congress this year convenes global energy leaders, policymakers, innovators, and industry professionals from across the water and electricity utilities value chain to discuss the major trends and challenges shaping today’s industry. Uniquely placed in the energy calendar between COP27 in Egypt and COP28 in the UAE, the World Utilities Congress provides a platform to explore the latest products, innovations and technological advancements across the global power and water utilities landscape. The 2023 Congress is playing host to more than 20 Energy Ministries, and more than 150 regional and international exhibiting companies, over 10,000 utilities professionals, 250 renowned industry speakers, and more than 1,000 conference delegates attending more than 60 strategic and technical conference sessions.

The event’s high-profile attendees and speakers include Dr. Kathryn Huff of the US Department of Nuclear Energy, Bahrain’s Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs HE Yaser bin Ebrahim Humaidan, and Finland’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Employment HE Mika Lintila. Also confirmed are EDF’s Chairman and CEO Luc Rémont, and Baker Hughes President and CEO Lorenzo Simonelli.