The 42nd edition of Middle East Electricity opens with a key focus on the development and implementation of Smart Cities across the region

Dubai, UAE, February 15, 2017:​  His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and the Minister of Finance of the UAE, officially inaugurated the 42nd edition of Middle East Electricity (MEE) in the presence of other VIP dignitaries.

The theme of Middle East Electricity this year is ‘Smart Cities’. Hosted by the Ministry of Energy and in partnership with Dubai Municipality the event will be showcasing special features designed to help the industry learn and develop in line with its goals to become smarter and more sustainable.

A new feature this year is the ‘Smart Cities Innovation Zone’. Located in Zabeel Hall 3, this dedicated area will feature major players showcasing their latest advancements in smart technology via an interactive seminar space on the show floor. This will include presentations on smart grids from Huawei, solar solutions from ABB and other innovations from industry leaders Philips, Osram, CAT and Siemens. 

Solar Middle East (SME) will once again run alongside MEE as the region’s largest event dedicated to the solar industry. Speaking about SME, Anita Mathews, the Group Director of Informa Industrial Group, says: “This event has continued to go from strength-to-strength since its inception five years ago and now features over 130 exhibitors. Ninety-eight percent of visitors last year say that it is now essential or important to their business. Solar Middle East will also feature its own conference programme, ‘The Solar Agenda’, technical seminars and CPD certified professional workshops, whereby attendees can earn actual CPD points towards their accreditation.” 

Discussing Smart Cities, Mathews says the Ministry of Energy and Dubai Municipality have played a key role in developing this year’s theme. “The government are currently working on a Smart City goal and will use Middle East Electricity 2017 to update the industry on their progress. This will be covered in one of the various conference streams taking place alongside the exhibition, and the event also features a showcase of the latest in smart technology in our ‘Smart Cities Innovation Zone’.”

Another highlight is the MEE Awards that will take place on day two (15 February); an event which will celebrate outstanding individuals, teams and organisations in power. The focus this year will be on smart products and projects across the industry, alongside awards made to some of the industry’s rising stars. 

The conference programme on ‘Energising the Smart City’, which also takes place on the second day (15 February), will feature a presentation and Q&A session with H.E Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, the UAE Minister of Energy. There will also be a discussion on how cities can become 100% sustainable with Habiba Al Marashi, the Chairperson of Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) and President of Arabia CSR Network as well as a number of other high level talks. 

A new to show concept, the Consultants Arena will see engineering consultants discuss key concepts and regulations such as projects management tools and the UAE’s green guidelines and regulations throughout the duration of the three-day event. Speakers include Holley Chant, Executive Director Corporate Sustainability at KEO International Consultants, who will be discussing zero-carbon projects and Abdulmajid Karanouh, Director & Head of Innovation Design, Facades & Sustainability at Ramboll, speaking on context inspired innovation.

Middle East Electricity and Solar Middle East 2017 are held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and are taking place from February 14-16 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.