Signing the UK - Masdar agreement

One important result of the early November visit to Abu Dhabi by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was the announcing of a plan for collaboration between the UK Government and Masdar to accelerate research into the development of renewable energy and clean technology solutions. Under the plan, the UK Government will work with Masdar, on behalf of the Government of Abu Dhabi, to leverage each other’s expertise and influence to help accelerate the adoption of technologies that will make renewable energy scalable and affordable for the global community. Key areas for attention will be onshore and offshore wind power generation, carbon capture and storage, solar energy and energy efficiency, according to a statement issued to announce the deal.

During his visit to Abu Dhabi, the British Prime Minister was briefed on the Masdar Initiative by its CEO, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber while the co-operation agreement was later signed by Dr. Al Jaber and Ed Miliband, Britain’s Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.

Commenting after the signing of the agreement, Gordon Brown said: “I applaud the vision and leadership which Masdar has shown in investing in the development and deployment of low carbon energy technologies. The United Kingdom looks forward to collaborating with Masdar through this agreement, bringing together the best of British and Abu Dhabi expertise for the benefit not only of our two peoples but for the world as a whole.”

Ed Miliband added: “As every country tackles the twin challenge of energy security and climate change, both oil producing and oil consuming nations need to diversify our energy economies. Low carbon sources – from wind and solar through wave and tidal to carbon capture and storage – can provide a new engine of global economic growth. So this partnership represents a significant contribution to our sustainable prosperity.”

On behalf of Masdar, Dr. Al Jaber noted that: “Securing a sustainable energy future is a challenge that requires the collaboration of governments, NGOs and corporations from around the world. This collaboration with the UK Government is very much in line with our leadership’s vision of cooperating with other governments and organisations from around the world. The United Kingdom is home to a wealth of expertise in renewables and today’s cooperation agreement heralds a new era of cooperation with the UK Government in renewable energy and sustainable technology investment and knowledge transfer that will benefit both our economies and drive the future growth of the renewable energy sector globally.”

The agreement paves the way for Masdar and the UK Government to explore opportunities in renewable energy projects development. This partnership will focus on the development, commercialisation and scalable deployment of a range of renewable energy solutions including on-shore, and off-shore wind power generation, carbon capture and storage, as well as new and innovative forms of solar, and energy efficiency. It will also cover areas including investments into new technologies, sustainable urban development and knowledge transfer.

Masdar recently announced its commitment to involvement in the UK’s own renewable energy industry through taking a stake in the London Array scheme, the world’s largest off-shore wind project that will power 750,000 homes and contribute significantly to the UK’s renewable energy targets.

Masdar is also working with a range of top-class UK companies and institutions including leading architects Foster & Partners, the master planners of Masdar City, and Imperial College London, who are a key member of the Masdar Research Network, a network of universities across the world conducting advanced research in energy and sustainability technologies.

In July, HRH the Duke of York hosted a seminar at Buckingham Palace for Masdar which was attended by UK government officials, business leaders, and leading academics. At this event Masdar encouraged greater collaboration between the United Kingdom and Abu Dhabi to develop an affordable and sustainable energy future for the world.