Leading industry experts will discuss key topics including Dubai's sustainability initiatives, solar energy projects and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, as well as issues related to smart networks, low-carbon desalination technologies, digital networks, and facilities management solutions at the second edition of the Dubai Solar Show which opens tomorrow (October 23).

The solar event is being held along with the Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (Wetex) 2017 till October 25 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

A major event being held in the region, Wetex will see more than 2,000 exhibitors from 50 different countries showcasing their products over a 70,000-sq-m area. It is being held under the umbrella of the fourth Green Week.

Following the success of the debut event, this year Dubai Solar Show is being held on a total surface area estimated at around 14,000 sq m, with 28 sponsors. It will be attended by 90 exhibitors from across the globe, said the event organisers Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa).

The two events coincide with the fourth World Green Energy Summit (WGES), during which over 60 speakers from all over the world will focus on key topics, such as Smart Cities, Green Economy, Innovation, and Sustainable Development.

Wetex is being held under the theme ‘At the forefront of sustainability’, in line with the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and President of Dewa, it stated.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the managing director and CEO of Dewa, and also founder and chairman of Wetex, has called upon the public, specialists, and stakeholders to take part in its upcoming seminars which will focus on key issues of sustainability, renewable energy, green economy and sustainable cities.

These seminars will be attended by leading experts, professionals, and representatives of major companies and institutions working in these vital fields from all over the world, stated Al Tayer.

"Through these seminars, we aim to transform Wetex and the Dubai Solar Show, and their related activities into an integrated and comprehensive platform to achieve the desired goals of creating global momentum on sustainability and environmental conservation issues, particularly in the fields of energy, renewable energy, green technologies, desalination, and technology in general," said the top official.

"This comes in line with our vision of being a sustainable innovative world-class utility," he added.

Al Tayer said during these three days, the audience will be able to take advantage of world-class seminars and panel discussions, with experts and senior officials from local and international companies and institutions, such as Siemens, Philips, Honeywell, InnoviMobile, ABB, Aqua Power, Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), Masdar, Ducab and Imdad.

Also, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), Carbon Tanzania, the EU-GCC Clean Energy Network and the Clean Energy Business Council, Regulation & Supervision Bureau (RSB) will take part.

Seminars and panel discussions will start from 10am to 5.30pm, with eight consecutive sessions throughout the day.

Topics include climate change, energy transformation, the future of the energy sector, the implementation of the Paris Climate Convention, the role of the Mena region in implementing it, the importance of energy efficiency to meet its objectives, and the best global practices in energy efficiency programmes, as well as financing renewable energy projects and regulatory frameworks, current challenges to enhance reliance on renewable energy in the region, solar energy technologies such as thin-film PV panels, and thermal energy storage applications.  

"It will be an excellent opportunity to meet the global experts and decision-makers, hear them, discuss issues of mutual interest, and maximise the benefits of raising awareness and educating the community about the environment and sustainable lifestyles for a bright future, for us and for generations to come," he added.-TradeArabia News Service