The UAE is a world leader and advocate of renewable and green energy around the world, despite being a major international oil exporter, stated Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Al Mazroui, UAE Minister of Energy, during the plenary session of the XI Kazenergy Eurasian Forum.

The gathering is a major international event in the energy sector, which was held by Kazakhstan on Thursday and Friday in the capital Astana under the theme, 'Creating the Future Energy'.

"The UAE has launched a series of renewable energy projects around the world," Al Mazroui added.

While speaking about his ministry's role in shaping UAE Energy Strategy 2050, Al Mazroui stressed that the strategy aims to increase the contribution of clean energy to the total energy mix to 50 per cent, saving Dh700 billion by 2050. It also aims to improve the consumption efficiency of individuals and companies by 40 per cent, he added. The plan is a joint effort by all energy-related authorities and executive councils in the UAE, the minister explained.

The strategy also aims to change the energy consumption culture, by reducing residential energy consumption by 40 per cent.

"New projects will seek greater efficiency and introduce the latest technology in production, transportation and distribution," Al Mazroui added. The forum, organised by the Kazenergy Association with the support of Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was a key event on the sidelines of Expo 2017 Astana, which began on June 10 and will end tomorrow, under the slogan, 'Future Energy'. The XI Kazenergy Eurasian Forum discussed many issues related to the effective management of sustainable energy sources; control over energy production, the storage and use of energy sources; providing access to energy sources; climate change and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions; the increased use of alternative energy sources; the introduction of energy efficiency programmes, or "smart" energy, and the innovative development of uranium and the nuclear industry by global energy firms.

The main speakers and attendees of the forum included Bakhytzhan Sagintayev, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, and Kanat Bozumbayev, Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan, as well as representatives from major international energy companies, organisations and agencies.

Source: Khaleej Times