UAE's role in energy issues draws praise

Abu Dhabi: The UAE plays a key role in maintaining vital oil and gas supplies and in driving the development of new technologies, an energy expert said on Thursday.

"We'll need all the help technology can give as the world faces great energy and environmental challenges," said Malcolm Brinded, executive director of exploration and production and a member of the board of Royal Dutch Shell.

He said the world will need leadership and that Abu Dhabi can play a key role.

Speaking at a majlis of General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Wednesday night, he said Abu Dhabi had an impressive record of serving its global customers by applying advancing technologies - together with its international partners - to build its production capacity.

He made a presentation titled 'Energy: inevitable transformation and difficult choices.' Abu Dhabi, Brinded said, is responding vigorously by unleashing the potential of alternative energy and energy-efficient technologies to replace hydrocarbons in domestic consumption.

This could change the supply and demand balance, in the same way that unconventional technologies are doing for gas in North America, and release more oil and gas to meet the needs of others, he added.

Alternative energy

"Masdar's aim of making Abu Dhabi a centre for developing and exporting alternative energy technologies is both bold and visionary - that's exactly what I mean by leadership, he said."

The Zayed Future Energy Prize, honouring the environmental vision of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahayan, will inspire energy innovators everywhere.

"The first would be in recognising how biofuels can complement hydrocarbon fuels in beating the challenge of electric vehicles to provide more environment-friendly transportation, while the second relates to the introduction of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) in coal-fired power stations," Brinded said.

He stressed that meeting the world's energy challenges will depend on harnessing all the capabilities we have available: breakthrough technologies, skilled people, capable organisations and huge financial resources.

"Abu Dhabi has consistently followed a strategy of utilising the knowledge and capabilities of international oil companies as partners in its energy industries.

"Likewise, Masdar is also based on cooperation with international partners. It is another example of Abu Dhabi's capacity to lead," Brinded added.

Will this encourage focus on alternative energy in the region? What lifestyle changes would you like to make as an individual to reduce your carbon footprint?