$15bn worth of projects, funding recorded at WFES

Abu Dhabi / WAM

More than $15 billion worth of projects and funding was announced at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) and its co-located events, the International Water Summit and EcoWASTE Exhibition, which took place during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2018, hosted by Masdar. The deals, which combined a number of local, regional and international agreements, strengthen the UAE’s position for advancing renewable energy and clean technology.
With WFES entering its 11th year, the event established a new direction for the energy ecosystem, bringing together global innovators, industry leaders and policy makers to shape the transformation of the industry. Over the four days, 850 exhibiting companies from 40 countries welcomed more than 33,000 attendees. More than 100 start-ups participated in WFES 2018, where over 10,000 pre-arranged business meetings were held. Exhibiting companies and a total of 18 national pavilions showcased some of the world’s latest and most advanced technologies, which are expected to play an integral part in the future of the energy industry.
Naji El Haddad, Group Event Director for the Middle East at Reed Exhibitions, said, “As a business-first event that provides a global platform for all those involved in the energy sector, the World Future Ene- rgy Summit 2018 has proven one of the most successful editions to date. The figures speak for themselves and have exceeded all expectations.
“These business successes were bolstered by new additions, including the Climate Innovations Exchange, pairing cleantech innov- ators with international investors. Our new Dialogue Hall that hosted the conferences also brought a cutting-edge and engaging platf-orm for speakers and delegates,” El Haddad added.
During the four-day World Future Energy Summit, the International Solar Alliance hosted its first-ever gathering in Abu Dhabi, and signed a letter of intent with YES Bank for its first financing commitment of up to $5 billion by 2030.