Gulf Construction Online - Utilities congress ends on successful note

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Panellists shared insights at the World Utilities Congress.

Utilities congress ends on successful note

01 June 2022

The inaugural edition of the World Utilities Congress ended on a successful note in Abu Dhabi last month with global leaders and industry experts from the energy and infrastructure sector shedding light on several key topics, according to the event organisers.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, the event was inaugurated by Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure for the UAE.

The three-day exhibition and conference, hosted by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa) and organised by dmg events, drew over 10,000 trade professionals and 120 exhibitors who sought to promote proactive measures to digitalise power and water systems, control emissions, and attract long-term capital investments.

It brought together more than 200 industry expert speakers, over 1,000 conference delegates, and hosted more than 50 strategic and technical conference sessions, including a Nuclear Energy Leadership Forum.

Reflecting on the growth of the utilities sector during the opening ceremony, Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, said: "Over the past few years, we have noticed a rapid transformation in the water and electricity sector in Abu Dhabi, which is characterised by a trend towards increasing clean energy sources, renewable energy, developing smart electricity networks, energy efficiency and demand management programmes, applying concepts of integrated resource management and technology use."

Energy ministers came together to share insights during a Ministerial Panel Session ‘Building a solid foundation for a resilient and sustainable utilities sector’, and discuss strategies they are using to futureproof their national water and power sectors, while also keeping to medium and long-term decarbonisation goals.

Panellists also shared insights into their countries’ ongoing projects, including a focus on reducing carbon footprints whilst utilising hydrocarbons, as well as drew attention to the need for further partnership and synergy in energy grids.

A global leadership panel entitled ‘Meeting rising power and water demands, while keeping on track with net-zero carbon goals’ took place on the first day of the event.

Over the three days, the sessions also shed light on the importance of embedding future-focused digital transformation strategies as a response to evolving market and customer needs.