The First Minister of Scotland, the Right Honourable Mr Alex Salmond, and Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar, the Government of Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted renewable energy company, have today signed a framework for action agreement at the World Future Energy Summit. This will partner the two nations in action that aims to lead to the development of a comprehensive renewable energy program.

The agreement includes Masdar, the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology and Scottish Enterprise, and follows discussions between the First Minister and Dr Al Jaber during his visit to the United Arab Emirates in November last year. The framework outlines a detailed plan of activity which is intended to deliver tangible clean energy projects. It focuses on development opportunities, investment in low carbon projects, technological cooperation, policy making and best practice initiatives.

The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology is the Middle East’s first home grown, research driven high level institute – dedicated to the study clean technology and the environment.

The First Minister said Masdar and Scotland will also partner together to discuss efforts to boost university research into renewable energy. In Scotland this research will be coordinated through the Energy Technology Partnership (ETP), an alliance of 12 independent Scottish Universities, engaged in world class related energy Research, Development and Demonstration. With around 250 faculty and 700 researchers, ETP is the largest, power and energy research partnership in Europe, and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in renewables to the agreement to drive forward global-leading initiatives

The First Minister said: “The signing of this agreement with Masdar is a rapid and valuable outcome of the high-level discussions I held with Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber and senior Government representatives less than six weeks ago in Abu Dhabi. This outcome is testament to the fact that Scotland is a world renewable energy champion and is continuing to play a major role in driving the global adoption of renewable sources of power, innovations in grid technology and research and development in wind turbine development.

“The innovative work being undertaken at the Masdar Institute is further indication that other nations are recognising the need to move to preserve the quality of the natural environment, which is one of the major global concerns facing us today and one of the most critical challenges of the 21st century,” said the First Minister, adding: “This ground-breaking agreement provides vitally important investment and development opportunities for both partners. It also enables us to work closely together, to share our respective expertise to help push and promote alternative energy sources at a global level, as the world seeks to address a broad range of climate change issues.

“As the world moves towards a low-carbon economy, there is mutual benefit to be had from working in collaboration to create these technologies. Together Scotland and Masdar have much to contribute to energy policy and economic and social development beyond just our two countries and I look forward to our partnership flourishing.”

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, CEO, Masdar, said: “From wind and solar energy, to the potential of wave technology, Scotland is a strong advocate for the advancement and deployment of renewable energy. We are proud to welcome the First Minister to Abu Dhabi again and are excited to be entering into a partnership, in such a short period of time, that will combine our nations’ efforts to ensure that new, sustainable forms of power are developed.

“Scotland has committed to ensuring that renewable energy sources contribute to at least 100 percent of its own electricity requirements by 2020, while continuing to export surplus power. With abundant, untapped natural resources, Scotland has a tremendous potential for renewable energy. Our countries share a similar vision where new forms of power will compliment and help balance the global energy mix. This partnership further unites our nations,” he added.

Dr Al Jaber also added: “For more than 40 years, the visionary leadership of Abu Dhabi has encouraged the UAE to forge strong relationships with the international community, finding innovative ways to collaborate. We are proud of our tradition, and we are encouraged about our new partnership with Scotland,”

Focused on potential joint investment and development opportunities, technological co-operation, policy making and best practice initiatives, the agreement outlines four core areas of collaboration:

• Offshore and onshore wind
• Carbon capture and storage
• Investment in the Low Carbon economy
• Renewable energy research and development

The agreement promotes knowledge transfer through academia and the commercial sector. This will be achieved through the identification of potential power projects, introductions within the Scottish business community and opportunities for joint research.

Lena Wilson, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, said: “Scottish Enterprise has worked closely with Masdar to develop this agreement, which clearly demonstrates Scotland’s growing reputation on the global stage as a centre for excellence for renewable energy and low carbon innovation.

“Capitalising on these strengths and opening up global opportunities such as this is vital in securing Scotland’s long-term economic growth. We are continuing to demonstrate our strengths and potential across the renewables sector both as an ideal location for collaboration and as a breeding ground for new developments. This agreement with an organisation as forward-thinking and innovative as Masdar is a real testament to Scotland and these strengths.”

Mr Salmond first visited the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi’s initiative to advance the development, commercialisation and deployment of renewable and alternative energy technologies and solutions, during a business trip to the Middle East in the autumn.

The First Minister is in Abu Dhabi to speak at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES), hosted by Masdar and the Government of Abu Dhabi. WFES is the world’s foremost annual meeting committed to advancing future energy, energy efficiency and clean technologies 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. The Summit represents an unrivalled business platform bringing together project owners and solution providers with investors and buyers from both the public and private sectors. This year’s event is being attended by over 26,000 delegates from 137 countries. The First Minister will join Mr Wen Jiabao, the Premier of China, and Mr Ban Ki-Moon, the Secretary General of the United Nations, along with other world leaders in addressing the conference.

 

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