With the imminent threats of global warming staring at us, and the oil price finally touching the $100 mark, the world is desperately looking for urgent and immediate solutions. A glimmer of hope comes from the least expected places on our planet, Abu Dhabi – one of the biggest suppliers of fossil fuel.
For centuries, the human race has been in hot pursuit of scientific knowledge to understand our planet and beyond. All through our history, we have been seeking for the knowledge to master nature and to make it work in our favour. When the Industrial Revolution came to town, we should have recognized it as an epochal opportunity for human progress. We squandered the advantage by assuming a ruthless approach towards our surroundings and the environment – to extend our hegemony over the planet we live in. To further human victory, we annihilated countless species of flora and fauna, which shared our environment.
Instead of harnessing nature, we have abused it and continue to do so without much remorse. By exploding nuclear bombs and putting man on the moon we have made statements of our might. We have burnt an unimaginable amount of fossil fuel for our insatiable energy needs, without considering the harm it causes to the planet we live in. We, as human race, have lost the plot. Our insane project, all through, has been to destroy our only home. Adopting a slash and burn strategy; we have reduced vast expanses of rainforests into barren tracts. A global desert appears to be the apt metaphor of the human condition. It won’t be long before the metaphor turns to terrifying fact.
One man – with a rare insight into the unfolding terror – emerged in the deserts of Arabia, armed with insurmountable conviction and self-belief and an iron will to fight the odds. The services of the founder and former ruler of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in saving our planet is unmatched. No other leader in the history of mankind has given back more to the earth than Sheikh Zayed; he was a pioneer and a visionary – the green farms and trees in the emirate of Abu Dhabi have a story to tell about the great leader. The legend of Sheikh Zayed lives on in Abu Dhabi, as the next generation continues with the good work in a quiet and efficient manner.
In April 2006, Abu Dhabi took a bold and historic decision to embrace renewable and sustainable energy technologies. As the first major hydrocarbon-producing nation to take such a step, Abu Dhabi has established its leadership position by launching Masdar, a global cooperative platform for open engagement in the search for solutions to some of mankind's most pressing issues: energy security, climate change and truly sustainable human development.
In an exclusive interview with Earthwitness, the CEO of Masdar, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber gives us an insight into the thinking and working of the Masdar initiative.
Q: The world was surprised when it first heard about Masdar in 2006. Why did Abu Dhabi decide to take the leadership role in the area of renewable energy?
A: There is no reason why Abu Dhabi shouldn’t take the lead on this issue. In fact, when you look at Abu Dhabi’s history, it would be more surprising if it chose not to. Masdar has grown out of Abu Dhabi’s half century of energy leadership, and is a natural extension of the country’s contribution to global energy growth, development and security.
We have acquired considerable knowledge of the energy industry over the years, and this puts us in the perfect position to address the emerging renewable energy sector. But Masdar is not about competing with conventional sources of energy. Its work will complement them, extend their life and maintain and ultimately enhance Abu Dhabi’s leadership in world energy markets.
To put it simply, Masdar makes sense. Abu Dhabi is one of the world’s largest producers of oil and gas, with sufficient reserves to last many generations, but it is taking bold steps to prepare for the world’s changing energy demands now. Abu Dhabi also understands the need to diversify its economy, providing fresh career opportunities to nurture local talent. Masdar will play a role in this by helping to position Abu Dhabi as an intellectual capital hub and ultimately an exporter of advanced technology.
Q: Leading financial and business institutions are now investing in sustainable and green projects. What is Masdar Clean Tech Fund and how is it different?
A: The Masdar Clean Technology Fund is a US$250 million venture capital investment vehicle that is building a portfolio of clean technology funds, direct and co-investments and joint venture investments. The fund is made up of commitments from Masdar, Credit Suisse, Consensus Group of the UK, and Siemens AG.
One way the fund is different is that it invests in projects that are both multi-stage and multi-geography. So as well as building up a portfolio of investments that are at different stages of commercialisation, it is also deploying funds in different global markets through teams in London, New York and Abu Dhabi.
The fund has a significant interest in solar energy, with investments in a number of breakthrough technologies under development in Germany and the United States. The fund is also investing in waste-to-energy, in the fields of bio-waste and municipal solid waste.
The fund has invested in a number of leading clean tech firms, including personal transporter firm Segway, based in the US, and Europlasma of France, which produces plasma torches that turn toxic ashes and asbestos into glass.
Q: Would you agree that there has to be a two-pronged approach to making the green agenda work in the Middle East?
A: Yes, promoting awareness of the importance and potential of future energy needs to work at many levels. That is one of the reasons why Masdar involves a number of different components.
There is an education component, the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, which aims to attract the best graduates in science and engineering from around the world to Abu Dhabi. There is a research network, which involves seven world-class research institutions in three continents.
An investment and commercialisation vehicle focuses on advanced energy and sustainability technologies, while a special projects division looks to develop capital-intensive projects, such as the large-scale manufacturing of renewable energy. Masdar’s carbon management unit supports greenhouse gas reduction projects in partnership with industry in the region, and the purchase and trading of the resulting carbon offsets.
The focal point of many of these entities will be the Masdar Special Free Zone, a six square kilometre city near Abu Dhabi International Airport that will be carbon emissions and waste free and home to as many as 50,000 residents and more than 1,500 renewable energy businesses. The city will be built and maintained by renewable energy sources, and its goal is to serve as a model for future real estate development in the region and around the globe.
There is no ‘silver bullet’ when it comes to the future energy challenge, a portfolio of solutions is required along with wide-ranging discussions involving many different communities. On a regional level, there is increasing exposure of sustainability initiatives in the region, which is a positive sign. The World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi from January 21-23 will bring together the top people from government, industry, relevant interest groups and the academic world to discuss the future energy landscape and the action required.
The summit is a big step forward for Abu Dhabi and the region. It puts the Middle East on the world map as far as the renewable energy sector is concerned, and the scale of the event should get everybody talking, at all levels of society.
Q: There is a very popular notion that the mainstream media is creating a 'climate of fear' with respect to global warming. What are your thoughts on this?
A: The task of raising awareness of global warming needs to be based on facts; that is the main issue. What we know about climate change is improving all the time, and the media has a big role to play in sharing this information and raising awareness. Masdar, through its work, is contributing important knowledge to the energy sector.
We are doing this through education and research, as well as through investment in significant projects that will reduce carbon emissions and generate renewable energy locally.
Right now we are testing photovoltaic panels from the world’s leading manufacturers in the field in Abu Dhabi; this is one of the largest studies of its type and it will generate a huge amount of original data.
Recently we announced a research partnership with Cosmo Oil of Japan and the Tokyo Institute of Technology to study an advanced form of solar thermal power, and the results of this exercise will have a significant impact on how we address climate through alternative energy.
The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology is perhaps the most exciting initiative, because of its significance to young people. The institute will be the region’s first dedicated graduate level college focused on the core disciplines of energy and sustainable technology. It will offer Masters and PhD programmes in science and engineering to the brightest students from around the world in cooperation with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology of the United States.
These developments are very important and they are happening in Abu Dhabi. As people understand more about them and as their awareness of issues such as climate change and the global energy market improves, the way in which these issues are discussed in the media will also evolve more positively.
Q: Isn't Masdar a continuation of the grand vision of Sheikh Zayed?
A: Masdar draws inspiration from the example of Sheikh Zayed and his willingness to challenge conventional wisdom.
Sheikh Zayed confounded scientists to irrigate the deserts and make Abu Dhabi a greener, more fertile place. Abu Dhabi was the first oil producer in the region to ban gas flaring. Abu Dhabi championed the Dolphin Project, an unprecedented example of regional energy cooperation. Abu Dhabi has always believed in doing things differently, thanks to the vision and example of Sheikh Zayed, which Abu Dhabi’s Rulers continue to follow today. The goals of Masdar represent a continuation of his vision of sustainability and responsibility.
Q: What plans does Masdar have to extend the example of Sheikh Zayed and achieve an environment friendly and sustainable UAE?
A: Realising sustainability is a collaborative effort. Masdar’s work is significant and highly symbolic for Abu Dhabi, but our contribution is only part of what needs to be done. Since the Masdar Initiative started in April 2006, the interest in sustainable development has increased dramatically in the UAE and the region, and a number of worthy announcements and directives have followed.
The World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi will be a great opportunity to create new momentum for the future energy sector and drive home its relevance to the UAE and the region, and to learn of the latest commitments being made by Masdar.
Q: World Future Energy Summit is the first international gathering after the Bali Conference. What are the realistic goals of WFES'08?
A: It will have achieved its main goal on Day One, to bring one of the world’s largest gatherings in future energy to Abu Dhabi and the Middle East. This would have been unthinkable as recently as 18 months ago. Around 2,000 delegates and 150 speakers from around the globe will attend, including Royalty, Heads of State and government ministers. This is a massive coup for Abu Dhabi and the conference in its first year.
A number of announcements will be made during the summit, and a very important debate will take place at both the regional and international level. This discussion will clearly move the industry forward and show that Abu Dhabi is prepared to lead the way.
Q: WFES has got tremendous support from the corporate world and industry; what does that promise for the future?
A: It shows that diverse and often competing interests are prepared to work together to realise a common goal. This is a positive development and one we hope the World Future Energy Summit can build on.
We hope the World Future Energy Summit will become established as an annual event. Masdar is the host sponsor of the inaugural summit and we are committed to its success.
Q: What's the strong message Masdar is giving out to the world?
A: Today Masdar is the world’s largest single investment vehicle in future energies, and it aims to become the world centre of excellence for future energy solutions.
In the long term, Masdar will be an agent of change. It will help diversify Abu Dhabi’s economy, create new skills and employment, and change the region’s business model from exporting commodities to exporting technology and ideas.
Masdar is currently testing photovoltaic panels from leading international suppliers in Abu Dhabi and the power being generated from the project is already being fed into the local electricity grid.
At a later stage, Masdar will manufacture photovoltaic panels in Abu Dhabi. Ultimately around 300 megawatts of electricity will be generated locally to sustain the Masdar City.
Q: When would the Masdar City be ready for businesses to move in?
A: The campus of the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology is expected to be ready by the end of 2009, and other tenants will move into the city in 2010.
