Abu Dhabi: British Prime Minister David Cameron touched on future energy requirements, partnerships for new energy technologies and investments in the energy sector during discussions with Sultan Al Jaber, Masdar CEO, and Hamad Al Hurr Al Suwaidi, chairman of the board of directors of Taqa (Abu Dhabi National Energy Company), and Mohammad Al Hammadi, CEO of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec).
Cameron sought to highlight how the UK and the UAE can work together to be world leaders in tackling future energy demand by joining forces to explore new energy technologies and providing the right framework to make energy production commercially viable. “We think we have the best offshore wind market in Europe if not the best offshore wind market in the world so we are very excited about the potential,” he said.
Cameron stressed the UK’s support for and commitment to the renewable energy sector, welcoming Taqa’s investment in the UK’s Continental Shelf which supports 35,000 UK jobs.
The visiting leader highlighted the UK’s nuclear energy vision and backed the UAE’s plans to build four new nuclear plants to meet energy needs, led by Enec.
Cameron welcomed the overall investment from the UAE in the UK and provided assurances on a long-term sustainable framework for such exchanges that will be in place by the end of the year.
UAE investments in the UK include Masdar’s 20 per cent stake in the London Array Offshore Windfarm which started powering UK homes on October 29 this year. The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said that once the London Array Offshore Windfarm is completed in 2013, the project will provide clean energy for up to 47,000 UK homes. “It also includes Taqa’s $4billion [Dh14.68 billion] investment to date in the UK’s North Sea sector, making it the largest single UAE investor in the UK, supporting 15,000 jobs directly and 35,000 jobs indirectly,” FCO said.
Al Jaber also sought to focus on the prospects for increasing bilateral cooperation. “The United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom have enjoyed strong trade ties across various industries. Today, our nations have broadened the relationship to include renewable energy. I had the pleasure to update Prime Minster Cameron on Masdar’s investment in the London Array — the world’s largest offshore wind farm. London Array will soon provide more than 470,000 UK residents with clean, sustainable power.”
Al Jaber stressed that both countries were committed to working together and finding the right opportunities for collaboration. “We are exploring research and development, technology transfer and partnership opportunities that will help catalyse investments in the renewable energy sector.”
Al Suwaidi underscored the point. “Taqa is already the largest UAE investor in the UK. We are optimistic about the future of Britain’s North Sea oil and gas industry as long as the right incentives for future investment exist.”
Al Hammadi welcomed the avenues opened by Cameron’s visit. “The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation welcomes the visit of Prime Minister David Cameron to the UAE and the opportunity for dialogue on the future of nuclear energy. Nuclear energy has been an essential component of the UK’s energy policy, providing affordable, low-carbon energy supply for more than 50 years. The UAE will continue to work with responsible nations such as the UK and apply the lessons learned from its nuclear energy sector to set a standard for transparent and sustainable nuclear new builds, as our nation continues to work towards delivering a safe, reliable, clean and efficient peaceful nuclear energy programme by 2017.”
