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The World Future Energy Summit (WFES) is an international conference held annually in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi supporting the transformation of future energy systems in UAE. It forms a key part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week; an ambitious programme sponsored by UAE鈥檚 Department of Energy and Masdar (Abu Dhabi鈥檚 Clean Energy powerhouse). The event is always well attended, attracting a mix of those from across industry, government, and academia as part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

2024 is the second year that the UK Science and Innovation Network (SIN) had supported engagement, collaborating once again with colleagues from the Department of Business and Trade (DBT) and FCDO energy policy leads to deliver a UK pavilion.

Introduction

Climate change is a global crisis, and for those countries in the Gulf region, it has never been more critical to take immediate action. This is one of the driest and hottest regions on the globe, and one that continues to rely heavily on fossil fuels. Accordingly, many were surprised when it was announced that COP28 was to be hosted in the UAE.

The UAE remain the current President of COP until November 2024, having hosted COP28 in Dubai from 30 November through to 12 December 2023. The UK was an active participant, delivering a national pavilion with a programme focused on the transition to renewable energy, impacts of climate change, and finance to support the energy transition and tackle deforestation. Given the momentum developed, and the focus of climate change still firmly on the UAE, it made sense for us to harness this for the benefit of UK industry and research entities alike wishing to engage with key stakeholders in the UAE and wider region.

The UK Pavilion during WFES (16 to 18 April 2024) hosted exhibitors including UK companies, start-ups and universities and was officially opened by His Majesty鈥檚 Ambassador to the UAE, Ed Hobart, and the CEO of Masdar and UAE鈥檚 Clean Energy Champion, Mohammed Al Ramahi. The pavilion itself was strategically located beside the Masdar pavilion giving us a prime location and the opportunity to network with those leading the UAE鈥檚 net zero transition.

Our programme included daily sessions designed by SIN and moderated by UK experts on strategic priority areas for the UK. Those that were involved included:

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The UK Pavilion was also visited by Khalifa University鈥檚 President, Sir John O鈥橰eilly, a key partner in the UAE on Science and Technology.

The World Future Energy Summit coincided with the period during which the UAE experienced its largest rainfall since records began in 1949. Widespread flooding meant that plans had to be swiftly amended, and although WFES 2024 did not reach the high numbers experienced during WFES in 2023 (and previous years), spirits were far from dampened.

Presentations from academic partners during the conference included one on 鈥楬ydrogen for the Energy Transition鈥� led by Heriot Watt University Dubai, and a second on 鈥楪raphene - from decarbonisation to sustainable products and applications鈥� led by the University of Manchester Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre, and included spinout companies, Levidian and Graphene Innovations Manchester. Colleagues from DBT then delivered a session on day 3 led by UK industry partners reviewing outcomes following 鈥�100 Days Post COP 28鈥�.

Impact

Overall, our bilateral partnerships continue to grow and develop. UK start-up, Levidian, one the exhibitors on the UK pavilion, signed a waste to energy partnership with Abu Dhabi鈥檚 Tadweer Group to produce millions of tonnes of clean hydrogen and carbon negative graphene. Levidian have also been named the winners of the 鈥楳ake it in the Emirates鈥� Start Up Competition and will subsequently invest around $100 million to establish a new hub in Abu Dhabi that will provide a base for regional delivery. 聽

Now we look forward to WFES 2025 which will commence on 18 January. Colleagues wishing to be a part of the UK pavilion should reach out directly to Layla Bentley, our Science and Innovation lead in the UAE [email protected].