Masdar, Scotland explore possibilities
Collaboration eyed with Abu Dhabi group on renewable energy development
Dubai: Abu Dhabi's Masdar development, which will feature the world's first zero carbon city, has proposed a framework agreement with the Scottish government to boost cooperation in research and investment.
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond visited Masdar yesterday as part of a wider tour of the Gulf aimed at bolstering business ties in the region, particularly in the field of renewable energy.
Masdar City is viewed by Salmond as a potential hub for developing Scottish low carbon technology.
The framework, which is being discussed between senior officials at Masdar and Scottish Enterprise, a non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government, has a January 2012 target date for signature.
Good idea
"Masdar is an agency that is all encompassing in its scope and vision so a framework agreement is a very good idea and I hope our officials can bring it to fruition in the demanding timescale suggested," said Salmond.
The framework will focus on two key areas; cooperation in research between institutes and universities along with cooperation in equity and investment.
"In terms of carbon reduction, we have got the most ambitious targets in the world with [a target] of 42 per cent reduction by 2020," Salmond said.
"We have a great deal in common with the UAE and although we specialise in terms of the most important technologies — the UAE in solar energy and Scotland in offshore wind, wave and tidal technology — when it comes down to transmission systems, electricity in a smart way and the storage of renewable power, we need to tackle and solve the same issues," he added.
Last year, trade between the UAE and Scotland was estimated to be in excess of $620 million (Dh2.2 billion). Furthermore, Scottish exports to the UAE increased from £215 million (Dh1.2 billion) in 2004 to £410 million in 2008, with exports of £390 million in 2009.
"As a leading player in both the UAE and the wider clean tech market, we are eager to work with other like minded countries such as Scotland to raise awareness and develop situations to mitigate climate change," said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Masdar's CEO.
