Energy summit to discuss challenges, solutions in renewable energy

Naji Haddad, show director for the Summit, said the conference programme will engage political, business, finance, academic and industry leaders to drive innovation, business and investment opportunities in response to the growing need for sustainable energy.

“WFES is where leaders come to talk and collaborate: world leaders, business leaders, thought leaders. They will all be at WFES to share their personal perspectives and inspirational stories, and offer real world solutions.”

Approximately 125 experts are expected to deliver speeches on topics such as waste-to-energy, the role of natural gas, energy efficiency, the need to better utilise readily available technologies, and the changing dynamics of consumer behaviour.

“The opening day of WFES will set the global energy context and consider the opportunities and challenges facing the industry in the year ahead. Day two will focus on innovation and how it can be encouraged to develop the next generation of sustainable energy technologies,” said El Haddad.

El Haddad said the contribution of industry experts will be crucial to determine how the world will focus its future efforts on sustainable practices, opportunities and investments. Energy storage is a case in point, which will be highlighted in a conference session moderated by Dr Ali Nourai of DNV GL Energy. “WFES is a highly credible conference for meeting and exchanging ideas with other thought leaders,” said Dr Nourai.

Among those speaking at WFES for the first time are Jos Verbeek, Lead Economist at the World Bank; Kate Hampton, executive director at Climate Change at Children’s Investment Fund Foundation; Paddy Padmanathan, president and chief executive Officer of ACWA Power; and Masakatu Toyoda, Chairman and CEO at the Institute of Energy, Japan. “People are flocking to cities like never before in human history,” said Jos Verbeek, who will participate in the session ‘Energy and Society — Transforming Cities’ on January 21. “With over 80 per cent of global goods and services being produced in cities, urban areas have been spectacular in improving people’s livelihoods and in reducing poverty. However, to maintain that momentum, reliable and affordable green energy is a must and is one of the biggest challenges urban centres face going forward.”