United Arab Emirates: From 7 to 9 March in Dubai, 28 companies from the French electricity industry will showcase their solutions at Middle East Energy 2023, the largest energy event in the MENA region. In 2022, the post-pandemic edition was attended by 11 French exhibitors, who were able to meet and connect with new international prescribers and current buyers. This increase in French attendance over one year is a clear indication that France is a major player in the Middle East energy landscape, and its strong presence at this event serves as a reminder of the importance of the sector to the region.

The French pavilion is run by Business France, the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy and will display the unique branding of "La French Fab", representing the French industrial ecosystem.

As a prelude to COP28, which will take place in Dubai at the end of 2023, the Middle East Energy Conference is set to highlight French equipment and solutions for energy production, transmission and distribution of low- and medium-voltage electricity, energy storage, network integration of renewable energy, and network protection to assist the energy transformation. Applications will be made in a variety of fields, including industrial, energy production, transmission, and distribution networks for electricity, and building energy efficiency.

While the UAE has taken a regional leadership ramping up its efforts in the global energy transition towards a more sustainable future through reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and diversifying its energy mix, crucial changes to the climate and ecology are being caused by expanding demography, regional tourism, mass-market retailing, and transportation.

The emergence of renewable energies such as solar power, hydrogen and the increase in nuclear capabilities act as key enablers of the local energy transition. French companies have been particularly active in the development of renewable energy sources in the Middle East. Indeed, French utility firm EDF teamed up with Abu-Dhabi based Masdar to develop a ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) plant to power Khazna’s new data center in Masdar City while TotalEnergies and Veolia have signed an agreement to start the construction of the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) systems providing power for a desalination plant in Oman, in the city of Sur in August 2022

On this occasion Axel Baroux, French Trade & Invest Commissioner & Managing Director of Business France Middle East, commented: "The strong French presence at the event is a testament to France's position as a major player in the Middle East energy landscape. With the emergence of renewable energies and the region's focus on sustainable development, French companies have been particularly active in the development of renewable energy sources in the Middle East. We are excited to showcase the latest innovations in the sector and to support the UAE's ambitious green diversification program through our expertise in energy production, transmission, and distribution."

Thus, this event provides a new platform for French companies to showcase their latest innovations in the sector.

The UAE is the first country in the area to unveil an ambitious green diversification program with a total investment of USD 163.3 billion by 2050 through the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy. To promote the expansion of networks and renewable energy, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is boosting its investments in digital technologies. To deliver cutting-edge capabilities like interoperability between its energy and water networks, it intends to invest USD 1.9 billion in putting its new smart network strategy for 2021–2035 into action. The ten programs in the smart network strategy, all of which are technologically challenging yet within the reach of French businesses, are to be completed in the short, medium, and long terms by 2035.

Because of its ambitious public policies, favourable regulatory environment, and powerful energy industry, France is a prominent player in Europe’s energy transition sector. The New Energy Systems Industries sector employs 210,000 people directly and indirectly and generates USD41 billion in revenue. France is Europe's third largest generator of renewable primary energyand is home to large energy and equipment groups; as well as leading public and private research institutes; and a network of industrial companies of all sizes with global reach whose expertise also extends to digital systems. Because of these benefits, France continues to have one of the highest levels of electricity supply and offers very high-level electrical equipment (Source: The French National Council on Industry).

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MEDIA CONTACT (United Arab Emirates)
Yasmina Ouari – Press Officer
Email : yasmina.ouari@businessfrance.fr