SEWA’S SUSTAINABLE PLANS ON STAGE AT THE BIG 5 SOLAR 2017
In a bid to reduce environmental impact and support sustainable development, Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority encourages the adoption of solar technology at a community level.
Sunday, October 1, 2017 — The Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA) will participate at The Big 5 Solar 2017, organisers of the only dedicated solar event in the region reveal. From 26 to 29 November, industry professionals will be able to visit SEWA’s stand at the Dubai World Trade Centre, and listen to the Authority’s Chairman, H.E Dr. Rashid Alleem, speaking at the Global Solar Leaders Summit (GSLS), The Big 5 Solar’s high-level conference.
“If applied and shared, knowledge is power,” affirms H.E Dr. Alleem, announcing his presence at the event. “At the Big 5 Solar, participants will be able to share their knowledge, learn and adopt best practices. By promoting breakthrough ideas, and by bringing under one roof thousands of solar industry professionals, this event can really make a difference in the regional community and beyond. We are proud to take part to The Big 5 Solar: it is a unique platform to meet with industry leaders, as well as with innovative organisations and individuals”.
A visionary and thought leader in the business, socio-economic, academic and cultural fields, Dr. Alleem is guiding SEWA through a green revolution. With Ecomagination, the Authority’s strategic plan to reduce environmental impact at a local scale, Dr. Alleem is investing in clean technology and business innovation developing solutions with SEWA’s partners for a greener, sustainable tomorrow.
“We have a clear strategy to increase the amount of renewable resources for energy generation in Sharjah”, says Dr. Alleem. “SEWA signed a 5-year plan with the Sharjah University’s research and development centre, to develop and share the most innovative, breakthrough ideas related to power, especially in the renewable sector.”
As part of this agreement, the Authority is currently working on a solar energy project, which will provide air conditioning to one of the colleges at the Sharjah University campus. “We are also offering full scholarship to 700 students in the renewable energy and engineering fields, as we strongly believe in funding research,” adds Dr. Alleem.
Although Sharjah did not develop large-scale solar energy production plants, SEWA is increasingly investing in solar technology. “In one and a half year, we lighted with solar energy 27 km of roads in commercial, residential and industrial areas of the Emirate. The project is proving successful and is still progressing,” comments Dr. Al Leem.
SEWA is also encouraging the adoption of solar technology at a community level: “We are advising residents in the Emirate to use solar energy powered water heaters, and we are educating farm owners in remote areas to ‘go solar’. The feedback we receive is very positive and encouraging for the future of solar energy,” he adds.
Indeed, solar technology is thriving in the GCC region. “Solar PV without storage is today one of the cheapest sources of electricity, and the recognised need to develop environmentally sustainable solutions is boosting solar penetration in the Middle East,” comments Josine Heijmans, Portfolio Event Director of The Big 5 Solar.
Co-located with The Big 5, Middle East’s largest construction event, The Big 5 Solar will meet the growing demand for solar energy solutions in the region, while promoting best practices for a solar powered tomorrow. The event will bring to Dubai the latest solar technologies from leading PV manufacturing countries like Germany, Italy, China, India and Turkey as well as from the GCC region.
Alongside the exhibition, The Big 5 Solar 2017 will feature 12 complimentary and CPD (Continuing Professional Development) certified Solar Talks delivered by industry experts, exploring the latest trends, challenges and solutions empowering a positive change in the renewable energy sector with a focus on solar.
On November 27, the third edition of the Global Solar Leaders Summit (GSLS) will bring together industry leaders to discuss their global vision on renewable energy, including SEWA’s Chairman, H.E Dr. Rashid Alleem.
To know more about the event, visit www.thebig5solar.ae.