Global Thought Leaders to Address How Innovation Can Accelerate Sustainable Development

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) will bring together leading global experts – from academia, industry and government – to address how promoting innovation and cross-sector collaboration can accelerate solutions that tackle energy and water security, climate risk and sustainable development.

UAE Announces Four New Renewable Energy Projects in the Pacific under $50m Fund

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) today signed partnership agreements with four new Pacific island countries to deploy renewable energy projects under the US$50 million UAE-Pacific Partnership Fund. Grant funding is provided by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs managing the initiative and Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, leading implementation. The solar-powered projects – in the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, and the Solomon Islands – are expected to be completed in 2016. The announcement brings the total number of projects under the fund to date to 10.

Women in Sustainability Unite at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

Young Emirati to Join Solar Impulse team on Historic Round-the-World Flight

Hasan Al Redaini will join the Solar Impulse 2 (Si2) team on its round-the-world journey set to take-off this March from Abu Dhabi. Si2 is the first solar-powered plane able to fly day and night without a drop of fuel.

Masdar Launches Second Edition of International Blogging Contest

Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s Renewable Energy Company, has launched the second edition of its international Engage Blogging Contest ahead of January’s Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2014 – the region’s largest gathering on sustainability. Under the theme “Cities and Sustainable Development,” the competition asks contributors to discuss their views of the critical role our cities play in driving sustainability.

‘Blue Economy Summit’ Highlights Importance of Marine Ecosystems in Achieving Global Sustainability

The ‘Blue Economy Summit’ was held today in Abu Dhabi to address the unique climate and sustainably challenges facing Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and marine ecosystems. With over 70 percent of the world’s surface covered by oceans, protecting the health of marine environments is fundamental to protecting the world’s interconnected economies and long-term sustainability.

Masdar’s Global Clean Energy Achievements to be Showcased During ADSW 2014

Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, will showcase its past year’s global contribution to clean energy development at the 7th World Future Energy Summit during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) – the region’s largest gathering on sustainability. Masdar will use the platform to highlight a year in which it has inaugurated solar and wind projects in the UAE, UK, Seychelles and Mauritania, installing over 750 megawatts of renewable grid capacity in the process.

5 Pacific Countries to Receive Grants from UAE’s $50m Renewable Energy Fund

The United Arab Emirates today signed partnerships with five Pacific island countries to deploy renewable energy projects, financed from the US$50 million UAE-Pacific Partnership Fund. The solar and wind projects – in Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Tuvalu and Vanuatu – represent one of the largest capital investments in the region’s clean energy sector. With grant financing from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), project completion is expected in late 2014.

UAE and Denmark Cooperate to Advance Renewable Energy and Sustainability Globally

The United Arab Emirates and the Government of Denmark today signed a strategic framework agreement outlining nine areas of collaboration focused on advancing renewable energy and sustainability globally. The agreement was signed by H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE minister of state and CEO of Masdar, and Rasmus Helveg Petersen, Danish minister of development cooperation. The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark.

HRH Crown Prince of Denmark Visits Masdar Projects during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

HRH Crown Prince of Denmark today visited two of Masdar’s flagship projects including Masdar City, the low-carbon urban development, and Shams 1, the 100-megawatt concentrated solar power plant in Abu Dhabi. The Crown Prince was in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) where Denmark yesterday signed a framework agreement with the UAE to explore and co-develop renewable energy projects.

Siemens strengthens Middle East presence with new headquarters at Masdar City

Siemens, the global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering operating in the energy, infrastructure, industry and healthcare sectors, today inaugurated its new Middle East headquarters at Masdar City – Abu Dhabi’s low-carbon, sustainable city – where Siemens is an anchor tenant. The Siemens building has been designed with sustainable materials and energy efficient technologies, making it the first LEED Platinum certified office in the United Arab Emirates’ capital city. The building has become a benchmark for future projects in the Middle East and beyond, due to the sustainability standards and development methodology used in building it.

Masdar Announces Winner of its International Blogging Contest Focused on Water and Energy Challenges

Masdar announced the winner of its international blogging contest. Masdar initiated the competition to drive international discussion about the interconnected water and energy challenges facing communities around the world. The contest received more than 70 entries and engaged thousands of readers as it sparked worldwide discussion of sustainability issues in advance of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the largest gathering on sustainability in the history of the Middle East.

First Eco-Friendly Credit Card Launched in the UAE

Major leading UAE financial institution, First Gulf Bank (FGB), will launch the UAE’s first green Visa Credit Card next week in association with Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, at the sixth World Future Energy Summit during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The First Gulf Bank Masdar Card allows members of the community to become more involved in different environmentally sustainable initiatives. The product falls in line within a series of socially geared products that FGB has developed recently.

Masdar Releases Sustainability Report

Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, today published its first sustainability report. The report highlights the company’s sustainability milestones and provides a benchmark by which to measure future efforts.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Masdar Sign MoU to Reduce Environmental Impact of UAE Embassies

The MoU was signed by His Excellency Shiekh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, the Under Secretary for the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Mohamed Al Ramahi, the chief operating officer of Masdar.

Shams 1 Wins Project of the Year Award

“We are delighted that Shams 1 has received such a prestigious award,” said Yousif Al Ali, the general manager of Shams Power Company, a subsidiary of Masdar. “This demonstrates the leading role that Masdar plays in the region’s renewable energy sector. It also represents a realisation of the vision that our wise leadership has for renewable energy in the UAE.”

Construction Begins on Masdar and International Renewable Energy Agency Headquarters Complex

Masdar today announced the awarding of the design and construction contract for its new headquarters complex, which will also house the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The headquarters will be one of the most advanced, sustainable multi-use complexes in the United Arab Emirates. It will be the cornerstone of Masdar City – the special economic zone, clean-technology cluster and low-carbon city in Abu Dhabi. Completion is set for summer of 2014.

Abu Dhabi Prepares for the Arrival of Solar Impulse 2

Solar Impulse representatives have arrived in Abu Dhabi to meet with local authorities in beginning preparation for the plane’s arrival in January. With the historic flight scheduled to take off from Abu Dhabi next March, pilots of the Solar Impulse 2 (Si2) will conduct test flights and perform fine-tuning exercises this January, in preparation for the five month journey. The plane, and its two co-founders, will attempt to fly around the world – without a drop of fuel – only using the power of the sun.

Middle East’s First Commercial-Scale Carbon Capture Company Unveiled at ADIPEC

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Masdar today unveiled “Al Reyadah” –the Middle East’s first specialized company focused on exploring and developing commercial-scale projects for carbon capture, usage and sequestration (CCUS).

THE PETROLEUM INSTITUTE LAUNCHES UAE TEAM’S ABU DHABI SOLAR CHALLENGE CAR

The Petroleum Institute (PI) today launched the solar-powered car that will represent the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the inaugural Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge, January 15-19, sponsored by ADNOC and hosted by Masdar. The super-sleek, high-tech vehicle will compete against 20 international teams in a multi-day, timed road competition across 1,200 kilometres of the emirate of Abu Dhabi.