Abu Dhabi’s DoE explores energy sector opportunities with Japan

Business Bureau, Gulf Today

Abu Dhabi: A delegation from the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), headed by Chairman Engineer Awaidha Al Marar, is visiting Japan this week to share the Emirate’s experience in developing the energy sector and to exchange expertise with Japanese energy ministries and organisations.

During the visit, the DoE delegation will place particular focus on sustainability projects, demand-side management programmes and energy efficiency initiatives. The department’s  representatives will also take part in the International Symposium on Water Supply Technology, held under the theme ‘Water Supply Services and their Future: Reliable, Sustainable and Smart.’

The agenda for DoE’s visit, which concludes on 12 July, also includes meetings with Japanese energy sector leaders at the Energy Conservation Centre for Japan (ECCJ); the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO); NGK Insulators Ltd; the NAS Battery Plant; Marebuni Corporation; and Kamisu power station.

Through participation in the symposium, the DoE representatives will access the latest water supply technologies, discuss key challenges facing the supply sector in Japan and  explore viable solutions, as well as find out more about the latest technologies in Japan’s energy sector.

 DoE’s meetings will introduce Japanese institutions to the latest developments in Abu Dhabi’s energy sector, as well as the Government’s plan for the diversification of energy  sources and promoting renewable energy. They will also shed light on the Emirate’s initiatives for the transition to clean energy, including the recent commercial opening of Noor Abu Dhabi Solar Plant.

“Abu Dhabi gives the principles and standards of efficient water and energy supply due consideration through developing policies and initiatives that prompt our partners in  the sector to achieve tangible progress in line with the Abu Dhabi vision and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050,” said Awaidha Al Marar.

“As we continue to share our acclaimed practice and explore international experiences in water supply and energy efficiency and sustainability, we find Japan’s expertise in this field impressive. We have made tremendous progress over the years, cementing Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s position regionally and globally, and we are always keen to share knowledge and exchange expertise with influential global players, such as Japan, to bring momentum to our countries’  energy transition journey,” He added.

In the aftermath of the oil crisis in the 1970s, Japan has enacted a solid energy efficiency strategy which resulted in sturdy improvements over 40 years. Successful measures  that Japan implemented to improve energy efficiency and rationalise consumption included issuance of energy efficiency laws, offering free energy audits for industrial and commercial premises as well as conducting behavioural change and awareness campaigns.

The visit is enabling the DoE delegation to gain first-hand experience of the demand-side management programmes and energy efficiency strategy frameworks implemented by the  Energy Conservation Centre for Japan, in addition to facilitating discussion of energy efficiency policies with the Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) – the government entity in charge of ensuring the energy sector’s excellence and sustainability in the emirate – held an awareness workshop recently covering the major initiatives and the newly introduced amendments to the Incident Reporting Regulations.

Attended by representatives from 72 entities active within the Abu Dhabi energy sector over the course of two days (June 26-27, 2019), the workshop sought to introduce attendees to the MoU signed between DoE and Abu Dhabi Civil Defense, which seeks to promote mutual cooperation to enhance prevention and response capabilities, as well as to encourage best practices and contingency planning within the energy sector’s critical facilities.

Discussions explored potential challenges and fostered an exchange of expertise and lessons learned among attendees: Al Ain Distribution Company introduced its best practices, showcasing the results of the project to develop health and safety standards, which included developing software that allows users to report any defect or incidents in Al Ain’s Distribution Network.