World Future Energy Summit strengthens position as platform for progressing future energy globally

• This is the centre of the clean energy revolution that is going on around the world, says Ed Milliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change for the United Kingdom
• Record numbers as attendees tops 23,000, a 25 percent increase over 2009

The World Future Energy Summit, hosted by Masdar, has strengthened its position as a platform for the development and commercialisation of renewable energy through four days of high level discussions and innovative exhibitors.  More than 23,000 people have attended the event, representing a 25 percent increase over 2009.

Some of the world’s foremost policy makers, academics, and business leaders in renewable energy attended representing more than 130 countries.

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the U.A.E. has hosted the World Future Energy Summit for the third year, demonstrating its commitment to promoting and advancing innovation, research and regulation of the future and renewable energy, globally.  Abu Dhabi’s role in shaping the future of the future energy continues to grow, and has been boosted by IRENA’s decision to locate its global headquarters in the capital.

The event, which has been taking place in Abu Dhabi has welcomed representatives from across Asia, Europe, The Americas, Africa and the Middle East.

The event has been hailed as a success by many, and is a further boost to Abu Dhabi’s position as a renewable energy hub.  Ed Milliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change for the United Kingdom said, “I think this is the centre of the clean energy revolution that is going on around the world.”

The World Future Energy Summit has, this year, attracted more political engagement than ever before with more than 100 government delegations attending.  The strong numbers are clear testament to the continued momentum that is building around renewable energy.

Attendance has exceeded expectations with figures reaching more than 23,000 attendees said Ara Fernezian, Group Exhibition Director at Reed, the show organizers. He went on to say, “The event has exceeded our original expectations by more than 15 percent.  Such record numbers of people involved is testament to Abu Dhabi’s growing status as a hub for renewable energy.”

Exhibitors have also acknowledged the role the Summit is playing in helping facilitate business and development opportunities. Sectors most represented include energy, solar, wind, environment, green building and water.  China, France, Spain, the UK, the United States, Germany, Japan, Switzerland and the Netherlands are among the list of countries that have hosted national pavilions.

“The event continues to improve, and Abu Dhabi is really the place to do business.  We have met many of the influential business leaders from the Capital of the U.A.E. and the event, until now, has been very fruitful for us,” said a sales representative of Tenesol, part of Total and EDF Groupes.

Mauricio Rojas La Rotta, a marketing representative of Solar Power Group commented, “We have secured some solid business leads which we are confident will develop after the show.  The event is becoming a reference point in the Middle East region.”

The number of national pavilions has doubled compared to the 2009 Summit, and animated discussions on topics ranging from solar array control systems to architecture have taken place.

The consensus is that the future for renewable energy is bright.  Ambassador Richard Jones, Deputy Executive Director of the International Energy Agency commented, “Renewables are of course a big part of the current mix, but they are going to be an even bigger part in the future.”