Making the case for 'energy-mix'

BY PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 23 Jan 2010

The UAE looks for an energy-mix policy, even though the country stands as a pioneer oil producer in the world, says the UAE environment minister.

Dr Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, the UAE Minister of Environment and Water (MOEW), was speaking to the media after the week-long World Future Energy Summit (WFES), which concluded in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Dr Fahad told The Gulf Today that energy solutions from both petroleum and alternative energy sources can be utilised in the energy mix solutions policy. He said this on the sidelines of unveiling the international outlet of India's Reliance Solar Group at the Dubai Creek Towers on Friday,

"The UAE is directing its resources to develop the clean and renewable energy - energy for the future."

"The contribution of renewable energy can significantly provide effective solutions to combat the severe threat posed by climate change," he added.

According to Dr Fahad, the WFES could highlight a realistic attitude among the international community towards practising a sustainable environment policy, apart from the controversial Copenhagen climate change conference held in the Danish capital last month.

He pointed out, "The OPEC countries have never opposed strategies to popularise alternative energy solutions like solar energy. The UAE is securing its energy mix that could be a choice for every country to resolve their challenges.

He hoped the WFES, being the first significant world summit after the disappointment of Copenhagen, will help the world leaders to bring out an improved result at the upcoming global climate change conference in Mexico.

Dr Fahad said, "Copenhagen was only a step ahead - but paced without ambition. Its outcome was not sufficient to meet the world's climate change challenges, as it was not based on scientific factors, but mere economic and political interests."

"Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi summit was very crucial, paving the way for the next ministerial meeting hosted by Germany in June," he added.

"The WFES success have balanced the setbacks of Copenhagen, the results of were discussed in Abu Dhabi by a large number of policy makers, experts, activists and entrepreneurs from over 130 countries," Dr Fahad said.