The RAK Energy Summit has concluded after two days of dialogue and discussion that brought together high-profile decision makers, speakers, and experts in the fields of energy sustainability and climate change from the UAE, the region and around the world.
Held at the Al Hamra International Exhibition and Conference Centre, the RAK Energy Summit was held under the patronage of of HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and ran from 4-5 October 2022.
The summit featured panel discussions and debates about the future of energy sustainability and renewable energy, shedding light on local and international efforts to curb climate change and shape a better future. The session featured high-level speakers such as HE Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs, UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, and HE Munther Mohammed bin Shekar Al Zaabi, Director General of Ras Al Khaimah Municipality.
In July 2022, Siemens partnered with the American University of RAK to reduce carbon emissions.
“The UAE is one of the leading countries in developing the clean energy sector, and a pioneer of modern methods to enhance the efficiency of the energy sector. Climate action in the UAE is based on three main axes: finance, technology and the environment. Hosting COP 28 represents an important and defining moment in the UAE’s climate diplomacy, by organising a comprehensive and exceptional conference that can fully mobilise for international climate action,” said the Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs.
A highlight of the first day was the presentation of the UAE Energy Management Leadership Awards for 2022 by the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. Ras Al Khaimah Municipality was awarded first place, while ADNOC Onshore and ADNOC Offshore were awarded second and third places respectively. The award is based on an assessment conducted by the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) and recognises implementation of best practices in energy management.
The second day was held in the presence of Sheikha Amneh bint Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah’s Investment and Development Office, and included a speech by H.E. Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, where she said: “The focus of the RAK Energy Summit on energy efficiency and renewable energy as main topics of discussion is an important step towards enabling us to tackle the global climate change challenge – the greatest threat to humankind.
In August 2022, the first advisory board meeting for the RAK Energy Summit was held.
“The summit underlines the necessity and urgency to reduce the carbon footprint of the energy sector – one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the country. It is a platform for us to exchange expertise in advancing the clean energy transition in the UAE, and to make progress towards our national goals, embodied in the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. Through the initiative, we aim to engage all sectors and segments of the community in the effort to reduce and even eliminate carbon and ensure sustainable economic development.”
Held under the theme of “Creating and contributing to the energy efficiency and renewable energy goals of the future”, the summit supports the RAK Energy Efficiency and Renewables Strategy 2040, the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative and the country’s preparations for both the UN COP 27, taking place in Egypt next month, and the UN COP 28, which will take place in the UAE next year. RAK Energy Efficiency and Renewables Strategy targets 30% electricity savings, 20% water savings and 20% renewable energy in the generation mix by 2040.
Munther Mohammed bin Shekar, Director General of Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, the host of the Summit, added: “We envision a Ras Al Khaimah where suppliers of efficient products and services find consumers looking to benefit from energy efficiency, where our youth develops and executes innovative solutions and where society is aware of its sustainability responsibilities. We have taken some important steps towards this in the summit, including the launch of our home energy services, the launch of an industrial energy audit initiative, and the launch of the SME edition of RAK Energy Innovation Competition, along with several other program announcements.”
In September 2022, ENEC announced that Unit 3 of the Barakah Nuclear Plant had been successfully started.
Also, on Day 2 of the summit, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality launched a new industrial energy audit initiative to help local industries identify opportunities for energy efficiency and competitiveness. Future Architectural Glass, Eternity Technologies and Falcon Technologies, RAK Ceramics, RAK Rock/Stevin Rock, RAK Ports and Union Cement were the first companies to participate in the initiative by signing agreements with the Municipality at the Summit itself.
The summit was supported by the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Masdar, and more than 10 government entities in Ras Al Khaimah.
The second day of the Summit also saw RAK Courts, RAK Public Prosecution, RAK Civil Aviation, RAK Chamber of Commerce and the Ruler’s Court of Ras Al Khaimah awarded certificates of compliance with ISO 50001:2018, for their efforts in implementing energy management systems.
Later in September 2022, QatarEnergy and GE inked a deal to step up carbon capture in the energy sector.
The agenda included other keynote contributions from government and industry leaders, and was sponsored by Siemens, Enova, EESL, EDF, Luceco, Sun Money, CleanMax, Pactive Solutions, Ledvance, Terraco, Netix and Teknoware.
The summit was closed with a networking reception held by multiple Director Generals of Ras Al Khaimah Government entities and CEOs of state-owned enterprises in the Emirate, who met a number of representatives of the private sector attending the event.