Created by the World Energy Forum in 2012 and celebrated each year since, the goal of World Energy Day is to ensure safe and sustainable energy for all, and to develop national policies in light of global energy challenges. Emirates News Agency reports that “it aims to shape policies to introduce and develop mechanisms and frameworks for sharing experiences at the international level.”
An Emirati representatives of the energy sector says the day is “a call for joint action and global cooperation, as well as an opportunity to celebrate the country’s achievements in this field. It helps to raise awareness of natural resource conservation and environmental protection by emphasising the sustainability of energy and water resources, reducing carbon footprints, promoting renewable energy and supporting the transition to a green economy.”
Held under the theme ‘This World Energy Day, Be the Change’, the 2024 campaign emphasises diversifying energy sources, increasing clean and renewable energy and encouraging investment in related sectors are top priorities for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The country is implementing several energy strategies, including the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to exaggerate the contribution of renewable energy.
According to Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, the UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, the UAE is on track to meet its clean energy targets, building on the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030.
The minister also noted that the UAE has become a global leader in adopting advanced clean energy technologies by significantly increasing investments in solar and nuclear energy.
Meanwhile, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), as part of its ongoing efforts to engage customers and society in achieving sustainable development, launched its annual campaign to promote World Energy Day. As part of the campaign, DEWA has shared awareness messages with customers through email and SMS, promoted the day via social media and hosting interactive competitions with valuable prizes.
In line with its efforts to raise public awareness, DEWA organised an edutainment event at the Emirates Down Syndrome Association, focusing on the significance of sustainable energy and the conservation of natural resources. Additionally, DEWA arranged an educational visit for 60 pupils from government schools to the Sustainability and Innovation Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. Pupils explored the latest advancements in clean and renewable energy and learnt about how modern technologies contribute to a sustainable future for Dubai and the UAE.
South African National Energy Association
Meanwhile the South African National Energy Association (SANEA) hosted a webinar commemorating the day. Titled “Empowering Energy Independence in Africa: Enabling Rural and Urban Renewable Energy Awareness, Access and Affordability,” the SANEA Secretariat said that the energy sector in South Africa was characterized by great challenges.
“These challenges are creating the platform to leverage great opportunities to address the long-standing energy trilemma of security, affordability and sustainability. In addition, the imperatives driving the just energy transition and the path to net zero carbon emissions have opened up other levers in the energy sector.
While we navigate these medium to long term imperatives, there is a more pressing need to find ways to overcome short term challenges across a broad spectrum of energy and energy related matters such as loadshedding, liquid fuel challenges and the state of refining, water availability, escalating energy costs and failing infrastructure. At this time, when these issues can present hopelessness, the drive for change, embracing energy independence and increasing awareness and access are top of mind to create impetus and move forward.
In this discussion and building on the broad World Energy Day themes, we will be engaging on some new ideas and ways to somewhat mitigate one of the pressing energy issues we face.”
