Minister Stresses Importance of Collaboration between Japan and UAE in Clean Technology and Renewable Energy Fields
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Tuesday, January 10th 2012 [ME NewsWire]
Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs His Excellency Mr. Koichiro Gemba
today visited Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s multifaceted renewable energy company.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs met with Masdar officials to discuss
ways the two nations can continue to grow their cooperation in the
advancement, development and dissemination of renewable energy and clean
technologies.
Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar, received the Minister of
Foreign Affairs and offered a comprehensive overview of the company’s
progress in developing scalable and commercially viable renewable energy
and clean technologies. In addition, he was updated on the progress of
ongoing relationships between Masdar and Japanese companies.
Masdar is currently collaborating with various Japanese companies. Most
notably, Masdar is working closely with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on
an electric vehicle pilot project. As the Middle East’s first
electric-vehicle car sharing pilot, the project deployed 10 electric
vehicles to operate within Masdar City – and broader Abu Dhabi – to
provide a smart, clean transportation system to its residents, staff and
students.
Minister for Foreign Affairs His Excellency Mr Koichiro Gemba, said:
“Masdar serves as a reminder that through strong leadership and vision,
nations can commit to innovation as a pathway to address some of the
most pressing issues the world faces. I applaud the UAE for its role and
focus to discover a blueprint for sustainable development and the
development and dissemination of renewable energy. We look forward to
further strengthening our relationship through collaborations in that
field.”
Masdar has existing partnerships with other leading Japanese
corporations such as Mitsubishi Holding, Mitsui Holding companies, GE
Japan, Nippon Oil and Cosmo Oil, among others.
The relationship between the two countries also extends into the field
of higher education. Most recently, two Emirati students completed their
PhD programs at the Tokyo Institute of Technology before being
re-instated at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology – the
world’s first graduate level research driven institute focusing
specifically on renewable energy and sustainable technologies.
“Our strong relationship with Japan is a testament to the visionary
leadership of the UAE,” added Dr. Sultan Al Jaber. “Masdar is proud of
its role in helping position the UAE as a renewable energy hub, and in
forging strong partnerships with the international community. We are
honored to welcome the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and look forward to
further strengthening our ties with one of the world’s most advanced,
innovative countries.”
Japan recently announced its plans to develop an advanced national
energy strategy. As part of the approach, renewable energy will play a
major role in the country’s development of a diverse energy mix. Along
with the launch of a solar and wind feed-in tariff program, Japan aims
to increase its share of renewable energy to 20 percent of total
electricity generated by 2020. Japan has also committed to reducing its
carbon emissions by 25 percent by 2020.
Japan expects that its energy policy will lower the cost of solar power
generation to a third of its current level by 2020 and to a sixth by
2030. In addition, Japan has announced plans to install solar panels on
more than 10 million roof tops by 2030.
During the visit, the Japanese delegation was taken on a tour of Masdar
City and the campus of Masdar Institute. On the tour, the delegation
rode in Personal Rapid Transit vehicles – a zero-carbon driverless
vehicle system – walked through student laboratories, were briefed by
professors and students on current research projects and visited
Masdar’s 10MW solar power plant, which supplies energy to Masdar City.
The Japanese delegation included, among others, Japanese Ambassador
Tatsuo Watanabe and Director-General of Middle Eastern and African
Affairs Bureau Shigeo Matsutomi.
The visit by the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs comes just weeks
before the start of the fifth annual World Future Energy Summit (WFES)
held in Abu Dhabi, January 16-19. Thirteen Japanese companies, including
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, will be exhibiting at this year’s
conference.
WFES is the world’s foremost annual meeting committed to promoting
advancement of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the water and
waste sectors by engaging political, business, finance, academic and
industry leaders to drive innovation, business and investment
opportunities in response to the growing need for sustainable energy.
More than 26,000 attendees, including 3,000 delegates, 650 exhibiting
companies and 20 national pavilions, are expected to participate in the
summit.
About Masdar
Masdar is Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted company advancing the development,
commercialisation and deployment of renewable energy technologies and
solutions. The company serves as a link between today’s fossil fuel
economy and the energy economy of the future - developing the
“greenprint” for how we will live and work tomorrow. Backed by the
stability and reputation of the Mubadala Development Company, the
strategic investment company of the government of Abu Dhabi, Masdar is
dedicated to the emirate’s long-term vision for the future of energy.
For more information about the Masdar Initiative, please visit: www.masdar.ae.
Stay connected:
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Contacts
Masdar
Taryam Al Subaihi
press@masdar.ae
+971 2 653 3333 / 800-MASDAR (800-627327)
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