Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) to enhance mutual cooperation on Solar Decathlon Middle East (SDME). SDME is a distinguished competition that is organised by Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) and DEWA, and will happen in Dubai in 2018 and 2020, in conjunction with Expo 2020 Dubai, which has the theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.
The MOU aims to strengthen cooperation on sustainable development and green economy in the UAE by organising circles, volunteer activities, and technical support for students on green building designs, innovative solutions for energy efficiency, sustainable environment, and renewable energy use.
The MOU was signed by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and MD & CEO of DEWA, and Saeed Al Abbar, Chairman of EmiratesGBC.
“The signing of the Memorandum is an extension of the close cooperation we have with EmiratesGBC to instil sustainability and support the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to build a green economy in the UAE and transform Dubai into a global centre for clean energy and green economy by providing 7% of Dubai’s clean energy by 2020, 25% by 2030 and 75% by 2050,” said Al Tayer.
“Sustainability has become a major objective goal and now acquires global attention, since it is comprehensively related with social, economic and environmental development. This is what we want to achieve in the UAE, and what represents the directives of our wise leadership, the UAE Vision 2021, the national agenda, and Dubai Plan 2021, to host SDME 2018 to reflect the attention of our country to adopt a proactive approach to innovation in order to develop solutions for the challenges faced by the world, and its belief in the importance of the role of the youth in building a sustainable future. SDME is a unique opportunity for university students to gain general knowledge and experience, and for them to apply theories that they’ve learnt, as well as show their talents and creative abilities to achieve a sustainable lifestyle. It also counts as an opportunity for members of society to get involved by following the competitions and challenges between the participating teams” added Al Tayer.
“EmiratesGBC is honoured to support the SDME and looks forward to collaborating with DEWA on such a milestone initiative that aligns strongly with the Council’s goals of driving innovative solutions in the green building sector. We believe that the SDME can provide the platform to showcase the possibilities in achieving zero energy, sustainable buildings in the Middle East” said Saeed Al Abbar.