European Energy Forum

The second annual European Future Energy Forum (EFEF) began in London today and despite the general optimism associated with the growth of the renewable energy sector, many challenges lie ahead for business leaders and policy makers. Political difficulties are standing in the way of a continent-wide European href=”http://www.europeanfutureenergyforum.com/europeanpolicy”> energy policy being agreed, noted David Howell, the British Commonwealth minister, who stated a European href=”http://www.europeanfutureenergyforum.com/europeanpolicy”> energy policy “would be nice, but it’s not going to happen”. Mr.

Howell explained that each country will have to come up with their own policies to move forward with the usage of href=”http://www.europeanfutureenergyforum.com/The-Conference”> renewable energy . Time magazine reports that he also appeared to be concerned about the rising costs being passed onto consumers. Addressing the href=”http://www.europeanfutureenergyforum.com/The-Conference”> renewable energy industry at the Forum, he said: “You boys have got to get your costs down.” Cost control and competition was a theme echoed in the remarks of Thomas Dalsgaard, head of Group Regulatory Affairs at DONG Energy, who called upon ambitious countries to compete to be the front-runners of an industrialized renewable energy business, during a panel debate at the Forum. “It will be the most ambitious countries that will host the industrialization of the renewable sector.

There is very solid momentum in the industry and strong competition amongst the suppliers of renewable energy. And there will be equal competition between countries to be the champions of the renewable industry,” he said. One of the champions of the renewable energy sector could be Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO and Managing Director of Masdar, said during his opening address “Abu Dhabi strives to be a catalyst for greater international dialogue and collaboration - both public and private - to maximize the effectiveness of the world’s response to the challenges of energy security and climate change.” But the renewable energy and clean technology solutions the world needs today will not be driven by one country alone, he added. “They will be found across borders and built between nations. They will be stimulated by collaboration and founded on public-private partnerships.” Masdar is also keen be an investment financing source for many of these partnerships. “We want to be a provider of capital to the most interesting cleantech companies in the UK and in Europe” said Alexander O’Cinneide, Head of Masdar Capital.

The EFEF forum, which runs from October 19-21, was developed by Masdar, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Mubadala Development Company, to provide an open global platform for collaboration and dialogue. EFEF is also sponsored by the UK government’s international trade promotion arm, UK Trade and Investment. The forum brings together the renewable energy and clean technology industry to explore business opportunities, showcase the latest technological solutions and create an environment for discussion among business leaders, industry experts, academics and policy makers.

Other prominent figures addressing the forum included, His Royal Highness Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, who noted in a written statement that “the challenge of developing and deploying clean technologies is global and will not be met without co-operation and knowledge sharing. This is well understood by Masdar, which has reached out to the whole world in its active pursuit of clean energy technologies - including by taking a 20% stake in the London Array offshore wind project.” The Prince’s comments were echoed by British Prime Minister David Cameron, who praised Masdar and the UAE government for its role in creating the annual event that fosters collaboration and dialogue among renewable energy business leaders, industry experts, academics and policymakers. More information on the Forum is available href=”http://www.europeanfutureenergyforum.com/” target=”_blank”> here .