Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Inaugurates 28th WETEX Exhibition, Cementing Dubai’s Position as Global Innovation Hub
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, has inaugurated the 28th Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition, underscoring Dubai's unwavering commitment to sustainability and technological advancement.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, has inaugurated the 28th edition of the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX), organised by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). The occasion celebrated Dubai’s continued ascendancy as a preeminent global destination for investment, innovation and the hosting of world-class conferences, exhibitions and events that convene leading companies, investors, decision-makers and experts from across the globe.
Reflecting upon the exhibition’s significance, His Highness emphasised that WETEX embodies Dubai’s ambitious vision by attracting quality investments, fostering strategic partnerships and accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies across the energy, water and environmental sectors. The platform effectively bridges innovation with investment opportunities whilst delivering sustainable economic and environmental impact.
This year’s edition brings together an impressive 3,000 exhibitors representing 60 countries, featuring 13 international pavilions across an expansive 85,000 square metre area and attracting 60 local and international sponsors.
Pioneering Projects and Technological Advancement
During his comprehensive tour of the exhibition, His Highness reviewed an extraordinary array of cutting-edge technologies and solutions spanning clean and renewable energy, water security, sustainability, artificial intelligence and digital transformation. He visited numerous exhibitor stands and international pavilions, gaining insight into the latest innovations from both regional and international entities.
DEWA’s showcase highlighted transformative projects including the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, currently producing 4,660 megawatts with capacity expected to exceed 8,000 megawatts by 2030. Phase 7 of this ambitious initiative will add 2,000 megawatts of photovoltaic capacity coupled with a 1,400-megawatt battery energy storage system providing 8,400 megawatt-hours of storage capacity, positioning it amongst the world’s most significant solar-plus-storage undertakings.
The exhibition also showcased DEWA’s groundbreaking Green Hydrogen project, the inaugural initiative of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa producing green hydrogen via solar energy, generating approximately 20 kilogrammes of hydrogen hourly. The Hassyan Reverse-Osmosis Seawater Desalination Plant, the world’s largest seawater desalination facility utilising reverse-osmosis technology, represents an investment of AED 3.377 billion and achieves a production capacity of 180 million gallons of desalinated water daily. The Hatta Pumped-Storage Hydroelectric Power Plant, the GCC’s inaugural facility of its kind, provides 250 megawatts of production capacity with an 80-year operational lifespan.
Digital DEWA showcased advanced solutions from its three subsidiaries, including Moro Hub, recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest solar-powered data centre.
Concurrent with WETEX, the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, DEWA and the World Green Economy Organisation organised the 12th World Green Economy Summit under the theme ‘From Success to Scale: Showcasing the Green Economy’.
Source: WAM