Abu Dhabi: History was made in Abu Dhabi today (Tuesday) as the Solar Impulse-2 (Si2) ended its journey around the world back in the capital without using any fossil fuels and with its success bringing worldwide attention to the importance of investing in solar energy and clean technologies.
“A bright page of innovation is written down with the success of Solar Impulse’s journey around the world. Congratulations to the crew,” His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said on his Twitter account.
In a series of tweets, Shaikh Mohammad shared his thoughts on what achieving this milestone meant for Abu Dhabi and the world, “We hope the success of Solar Impulse helps to deliver Abu Dhabi’s message about the need to invest in clean energy and encourage innovation.”
“Masdar will always motivate innovation and Solar Impulse’s arrival to Abu Dhabi is not an end, it is a new beginning towards more achievements.”
The two pilots, Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, initiator and chairman of Solar Impulse and CEO and co-founder of Solar Impulse respectively, were given a grand reception and welcomed by a group of VIPs.
After a short break the Solar Impulse team, which included Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and chairman of Masdar, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Doris Leuthard, Vice-President of the Swiss Confederation, and the Si2 pilots joined a room of over 200 people and the world media for a press conference.
As the two pilots took their seats the entire room erupted in applause. Once calm and order had been restored, which took some time, Dr Al Jaber was first to deliver his address.
Speaking to the pilots he said, “Together you have inspired the world, pushed the boundaries of technology and explored new horizons.”
“Most importantly, you also captured the world’s attention and spread the important message of a sustainable future driven by clean technologies,” he added.
He reflected on the time when the solar-powered plane first took off from Abu Dhabi and many sceptics claimed that their mission was an impossible one.
“Today, Solar Impulse has proven otherwise, demonstrating that the impossible is possible, and that innovation has no boundaries,” he said.
“For Masdar to be involved in this project is a great source of pride for the UAE.”
The pilots could barely hold back their emotions as they got up to speak, having to take a few moments before they could continue.
“This is not only a first in the history of aviation; it is above all a first in the history of energy,” said Piccard.
“A lot is starting today. A lot is possible because we have dared to fail. When you dare to fail, you can succeed,” he added.
“For me today is a day of gratitude. Gratitude for the team, for all these colleagues, friends, who have basically given up their private lives to make this project become a reality … you cannot imagine how many hundreds of people helped to make this feasible,” said Borschberg.
Prince Albert also paid tribute to the pilots and the ingenuity of the Solar Impulse 2 project in transforming awareness of the potential of clean energy and the role of Abu Dhabi.
“We will remember this day, which will remain the day of great victory for solar aviation and also the day when we were given the proof that we can move towards a low carbon economy, reconciling the mobility and progress we all need, with the protection of our planet, which is our greatest duty.”
Leuthard echoed Dr Al Jaber and the Prince’s message about the importance of investing in clean energy while she told the pilots, “You are part of history now.“
