The government of Abu Dhabi has indicated its own commitment to the adoption of renewable energy, and will soon publish a comprehensive energy policy that includes a pledge that by 2020, renewable energy sources will account for at least 7 percent of the emirate's total power generation capacity. Masdar estimates this commitment will create a renewable energy market valued at US$6-8 billion in the Emirate, creating business opportunities for local and international companies. Masdar chief executive Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said on Monday in his keynote speech at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi that the company is well-positioned to capitalize on the “undeniable momentum and long term viability” of renewable energy technology. He acknowledged the recent global economic downturn in his opening ceremony address, but said that the renewable energy sector continues to grow and pointed to recent global commitments that call for increasing investment and deployment of renewable energy technologies. “Masdar will be at the forefront of the research, development and deployment of solutions that will enable governments around the world, including our own, to meet the targets they are setting for the adoption of renewable energy,” he said. In the past 12 months, Masdar has made significant advancements across the full spectrum of renewable energy solutions to help build a renewable energy sector in Abu Dhabi and to accelerate the deployment of clean technologies globally, such as: • Breaking ground on the development of Masdar City - the world's first carbon-neutral city • Building a solar manufacturing plant in Germany, creating green-jobs and technical know-how to transfer to Abu Dhabi • Enrolling a pre-class of students at the Masdar Institute - the world's first graduate institution dedicated to future energy solutions • Investing in leading renewable technologies, forming joint ventures, and R&D partnerships to apply scale and capital to accelerate technology deployment and commercialization In addition, international evidence of the widespread adoption of renewable energy includes recent commitments by the Governments of Australia and the United States to make significant investments in renewable energy technologies, a commitment by the European Parliament to reduce carbon emissions by 20 percent by 2020, and international efforts led by the Governments of Germany, Denmark and Spain to establish an International Renewable Energy Agency, dedicated to the widespread adoption of renewable energy on a global scale. “Looking at recent local and international commitments, it is our view that the world has reached a tipping point in the acceptance of renewable energy,” he said. “We have a long, challenging journey ahead of us, but we are heading in the right direction and the progress we are making is irreversible.” “It is a testament to the will of our leadership, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, under their guidance Masdar will provide a comprehensive solution to the world's energy challenges and maintain Abu Dhabi's position as a leading supplier of energy to the world,” added. Masdar is host of the World Future Energy Summit, which commenced today and attracted more than 15,000 delegates, 300 exhibitors and 20 government delegations to discuss the global response to future energy challenges. Abu Dhabi, one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, said on Sunday that renewable energy sources will make up seven percent of its total energy production by 2020. “The government of Abu Dhabi has announced its commitment to (the plan that) renewable energy sources will make up at least seven percent of its total energy production capacity by 2020,” WAM news agency added. The UAE is the world's fifth-largest oil exporter but is building a zero-carbon city called Masdar. The Masdar Initiative is Abu Dhabi's multi-faceted investment in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies in renewable, alternative and sustainable energies as well as sustainable design. Masdar is driven by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (ADFEC), a wholly owned company of the government of Abu Dhabi through the Mubadala Development Company. In January 2008, Abu Dhabi announced it will invest $15 billion in Masdar, the largest single government investment of its kind. __
