Tata Solar and the Chennai-based Regen Powertech are among the over-25 companies that have confirmed participation in the World Future Energy Summit that is scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi between January 15 and 17, 2013.
“We’re seeing increasing interest from Indian companies in the renewables and alternative energy sector,” says Naafia Mattoo of ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller, the official public relations agency of Madsar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, which has hosted the summit each year since 2008.
At the 2012 summit in January, the number of visitors from India ranked fifth overall, out of 140 countries. In 2011 the country made an investment of $12 billion in the sector.
“In September we organised a roadshow to India and the feedback we received was encouraging. What’s clear is that Indian companies now recognise the World Future Energy Summit as the primary platform to source, trade and learn about sustainable technologies, ” said Mattoo in an e-mailed response to
Considering that India is now the world’s fourth largest economy and that it will account for half of the projected growth in global energy demand over the next 30 years together with China, the participation of Indian decision makers in sustainable technologies at WFES is set to steadily increase, Mattoo said.
Abu Dhabi, a leading exporter of oil and gas, also understands the importance of renewables in the global energy mix. By setting a target of generating seven per cent of its domestic electricity needs from renewable sources by 2020, the emirate has laid down a marker for other countries to follow.
The emirate will also stage the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, starting with IRENA’s General Assembly on January 13, and also the International Water Summit, co-hosted with WFES for the first time.
Altogether, the week will attract more than 30,000 attendees "making for a great opportunity for Indian businesses in the renewables and clean technology space."