A five-day working visit to the People’s Republic of China concluded for a delegation from the United Arab Emirates, which was led by Eng. Sharif Al Olama, who is the undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.
The delegation met with leading Chinese companies during the visit to talk about possibilities for greater collaboration in advanced energy technologies and energy storage systems, as well as electric mobility, and also to explore investment and technology collaborations that promote the development, sustainability, and efficiency of the energy and transport sectors of the UAE.
The delegation included officials from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and Mubadala Investment Company, as well as AD Ports Group. The visit sought to strengthen partnerships with leading Chinese companies in strategic industries, to learn about cutting-edge technological advances, and to explore ways to promote investment, information exchange, and transfer of skills in areas of common interest.
Al Olama chaired a roundtable in Shanghai with delegates from leading Chinese companies during the visit. The roundtable discussed cooperation and investment options in clean energy, hydrogen, nuclear energy, energy storage, and smart mobility, as well as the establishment of joint projects, technology transfer, and bringing in Chinese investment in the UAE.
The UAE delegation toured the Port of Shanghai, where it was briefed on the advanced technologies implemented at the Yangshan Port Phase IV container terminal, which included smart operating systems, autonomous devices, and digital solutions to oversee port operations.
The delegation also discussed possibilities for collaboration and the transfer of knowledge in the area of smart ports, digitization, and enhancing operational efficiency, which would contribute to the development of a standard logistics system and improve its sustainability.
The delegation also met with a number of leading Chinese companies to discuss opportunities for cooperation in developing energy storage technologies and advanced batteries, as well as electric mobility solutions and possible implementation in the UAE in order to boost energy efficiency and make the transport sector more sustainable.
In addition to investment options in clean energy, hydrogen, the delegation examined the latest technological solutions and applications such as battery energy storage systems, mobile charging robots, electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, advanced electric vehicle platforms, and technologies to supply power to ships and ports with electricity.
The visit was focused on identifying opportunities to leverage these technologies to develop the energy system of the UAE, strengthen its robustness and capacity to accommodate growing demand, and grow electric mobility applications throughout road and maritime transport and logistics. It also examined investment and technology collaborations that can help convert innovative solutions into real-world applications for the needs of the UAE market.
Al Olama added that the UAE keeps enhancing its global relationships with top firms in technology and advanced industries, promoting its attempts to develop a more effective, sustainable, and resilient energy system and increase collaboration across the energy, transport, and investment as well as technology sectors.
He added that energy storage technologies and advanced batteries are the primary drivers of modern energy systems, increasing their efficiency and capacity to satisfy rising demand, while also encouraging the wider uptake of electric transport and the development of sustainable options for the logistics and maritime sectors.
Al Olama added “We are committed to developing international partnerships that support the deployment of energy storage technologies and electric mobility solutions in the UAE. This visit provides an opportunity to explore the latest solutions and assess their potential application in ways that address our needs, improve energy efficiency, and support the sustainability of the transport sector.”
The presence of government, investment, and operating businesses within the delegation reflects the comprehensive strategy by the UAE in determining strategic opportunities and in connecting technological advances with the real needs of vital sectors. It assists in the evaluation of cooperation and investment potential and the development of practical applications of advanced technologies.
The visit is part of the UAE’s initiatives to broaden its international ties in strategic sectors, harness global expertise and technologies to create solutions for energy and transport, and enhance opportunities for investment and creativity, in accordance with the competitive edge of the national economy and the UAE’s objectives for energy conservation and sustainable development.