Project Village returns to WFES for a second year in 2012, hosting selected projects in renewable energy and energy efficiency from the Middle East, India and Africa, as well as other markets.
With the pace of investment in renewable energy in the Middle East running at almost three times the global rate, the next World Future Energy Summit will spotlight the contribution the region and other parts of the developing world are making to clean energy and renewable energy innovation.
Supported by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Project Village returns to WFES for a second year in 2012, hosting selected projects in renewable energy and energy efficiency from the Middle East, India and Africa, as well as other markets.
Held in association with Ernst & Young and Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), the initiative will highlight both new and planned developments, helping to source technology, secure financing and explore business partnerships.
Gil Forer, Global Cleantech Leader at Ernst & Young, said: “The Project Village offers the ideal platform for project developers and entrepreneurs to network with the world’s cutting-edge solutions providers and industry thought leaders. As the world economy strives to become more resource efficient and low-carbon, Ernst & Young will continue to focus on the clean-tech marketplace by addressing the issues facing five key market segments: innovators, project developers, investors, corporations and government. Our insights and global expertise can help business capitalize on the opportunities the sector presents, and we are delighted to be supporting the Project Village and the innovation it promotes.”
Commenting on the regional potential for renewable energy expansion, Micheal Liebrich, CEO of BNEF, said: “Bloomberg New Energy Finance is delighted to support the Project Village at WFES 2012 next January. We are hoping once again to bring together the leading renewable energy developers in the MENA region to give them a showcase for their projects. Although limited renewable energy capacity has been commissioned in the region so far, we are definitely seeing momentum start to build”
Now in its fifth year, the World Future Energy Summit is the world’s foremost annual meeting committed to promoting advancement of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the water and waste sectors by engaging political, business, finance, academic and industry leaders to drive innovation, business and investment opportunities in response to the growing need for sustainable energy.
WFES Exhibition Director Naji El Haddad said: “To have the Project Village for a second year at WFES in association with Ernst & Young and Bloomberg New Energy Finance reflects the growing international status of the summit. Through the initiative, we offer WFES exhibitors the chance to meet face to face with owners and developers from across the region and beyond in both the public and private sectors. There will also be technical seminars by Ernst & Young and BNEF at the Project Village Theatre, as well as business plan presentations by various project developers.”
Haddad said: “As IRENA’s Director General Adnan Amin recently stated, an additional 100 gigawatts of power-generating capacity is required over the next 10 years to meet local demand, which illustrates the potential for renewable energy in the region. The Project Village will be an important meeting place for a variety of stakeholders seeking a greater role for renewable energy in the Middle East’s rapidly evolving energy equation.”
On the theme ‘Powering Sustainable Innovation’ WFES 2012 will stage both a high-level conference and exhibition, with companies from all over the world promoting their latest products and services.
Over 26,000 attendees, including 3,000 delegates, 650 exhibiting companies and 20 national pavilions, are expected to participate in the summit.
To be held under the patronage of H.H General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and hosted by Masdar, the World Future Energy Summit 2012 runs from January 16-19 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
