World Future Energy Summit 2010

Last year's edition of the World Future Energy Summit saw over 18,400 visitors attend from 84 countries.
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As Utilities Middle East went to press towards the tail-end of December, the final details of the Copenhagen climate summit were starting to become a little clearer.

The main headlines in the international press have by and large intimated that the conference was a failure, as the nations taking place only managed to reach a weak outline of a global agreement, without anything more substantive being signed up.

For now, the focus will turn to the Abu Dhabi and the four-day World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2010 – being held from January 18th – 21st which is the perfect opportunity for companies as well as countries to put their messages across.

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With 2009 being such a successful year for Abu Dhabi on the renewable energy front as a result of the decision of the International Renewable Energy Agency to base its headquarters there and the continuing work at Masdar, WFES comes at exactly the right time for Middle Eastern companies to get the best out of some truly international networking opportunities.

And it certainly is a bumper programme this year. The fourth edition of WFES has invited a number of analysts, executives and politicians from over 100 countries to bring their experience to the event, with the focus being placed on the actions necessary to balance demands the world is facing between an economic and social need to boost energy infrastructure to fuel economic growth and environmental imperatives that must be met to ensure sustainability.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has predicted that 70% of the increased energy demand to 2030 will come from developing countries.

Meanwhile, the other 30% of this growth will emanate from developed economies, which will continue to witness growing demand as they get wealthier, and as their populations expand with ever-increasing migration from the developing world.

In addition, the US-based Energy Information Administration has said that global energy demand is expected to soar 44% over the next two decades, fuelled heavily by the emergence of economic heavyweights such as China and Russia.

With China playing a key role in the success or otherwise of post-Copenhagen climate change talks, the importance of the emerging nations has never been more crucial.

One of the highlights of WFES this year will be the launch of a special programme, Young Future Energy Leaders, by Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), which threw open its doors for the first time during 2009.

The four-day programme is designed to offer 150 participants an unparalleled opportunity to engage in discussions with the world’s foremost experts in energy, climate change, policy, and sustainability.

They will also have a chance to network with government representatives, businesses leaders and other organisations active in the area of alternative energy and sustainability.