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First Minister of Scotland visits Masdar

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The First Minister of Scotland, Mr Alex Salmond, today visited Masdar and stated that it could be a future hub for further developing Scottish low carbon technology.

On the first day of his official visit to the UAE, Mr Salmond toured Masdar, a multifaceted holistic approach to renewable energy established by the Abu Dhabi Government.

Speaking at Masdar Mr Salmond said:

“Masdar is a valuable initiative from which we can all benefit. As countries around the world look to develop more energy sustainable economies we need investment and commitment to education, thought leadership and research and development in the renewable energy sector.  Scotland has much to gain from what Masdar can teach us, both now and in the future. “

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Scotland has a commitment to produce 100 percent of its energy requirements by 2020.  It aims to generate twice as much energy as Scotland needs, just over half of it from renewables, and just under half from other conventional sources. Scotland will thus become a net exporter of electricity, exporting as much electricity as it consumes. Consequently Scotland has become a world renewable energy champion and is continuing to play a major role in driving the global adoption of renewable sources of power, innovations in grid technology and research and development in wind turbine development.

Mr Salmond added: “The innovative work being undertaken here at Masdar is further indication that other nations are recognising the need to move to preserve the quality of the natural environment, which is one of the major global concerns facing us today and one of the most critical challenges of the 21st century.

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He concluded: “As the world moves towards a low-carbon economy, there is mutual benefit to be had from working in collaboration to create these technologies. The emergence of the renewable energy sector in the UAE will bring with it a new spectrum of employment opportunity and technology sharing and I look forward to Scotland playing an active part in this knowledge transfer.”

During his visit, the First Minister  met with senior Masdar officials including: Dr Sultan Al Jaber, CEO, Masdar; Frank Wouters, Director, Masdar Power; Alex O’Cinneide, Director Masdar Capital; Trevor Nash, Director Venture Capital, Technology, Strategic Partnerships and Sustainability, Masdar, Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute and Professor Joseph Cecchi – Provost and Professor of Engineering, Masdar Institute .  

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, CEO, Masdar, said:

“We are pleased to welcome First Minister Salmond to Masdar, to showcase the work we are doing to a broader audience and explore areas for possible collaboration. As a leading player in both the UAE and the wider clean tech market, we are eager to work with other like minded countries such as Scotland to raise awareness and develop solutions to mitigate climate change.”

The First Minister took a tour around Masdar City to view the Masdar Institute, one of the world’s most sustainable campuses for graduate level students and the first research-driven institution in the region dedicated to finding solutions to the challenges of future energy and sustainability. He also visited the Masdar 10MW photovoltaic power plant which provides the power for the low waste, low carbon City. 

Mr Salmond also took a ride in one of the City’s Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system, a state of the art zero-carbon driverless vehicle powered by renewable energy, which forms part of Masdar’s sustainable transport system. Walking in the city is encouraged to reduce energy use, stairs are always prominently featured, while elevators are hidden – the reverse of conventional buildings, where stairs are often hard to find. 

Masdar represents a holistic, multifaceted approach to renewable energy and is comprised of five integrated units: Masdar Institute, Masdar Capital, Masdar Carbon, Masdar Power and Masdar City.

This visit follows the announcement that First Minister Alex Salmond is the recipient of an international climate change award.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/10/24093332

For further information please contact: 
Media enquiries for Scotland First Minister
Marcus Pepperell/Vadia Rai @ FTI Consulting
marcus.peppperell@fticonsulting.com
vadia.rai@fticonsulting.com 
Tel: +971 (0)4 332 8832

Media enquiries for Masdar
Meray Atef
press@masdar.ae
+971 2653 6014

For Scottish Development International in Middle East:
Colin Crabbe
colin.Crabbe@scotent.co.uk
Pictures will be available from
http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottishgovernment

About Masdar

Masdar is Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted initiative advancing the development, commercialisation and deployment of renewable energy technologies and solutions. The company serves as a link between today’s fossil fuel economy and the energy economy of the future - developing the “greenprint” for how we will live and work tomorrow. Backed by the stability and reputation of the Mubadala Development Company, the strategic investment company of the government of Abu Dhabi, Masdar is dedicated to the emirate’s long-term vision for the future of energy.

For more information about the Masdar Initiative, please visit: www.masdar.ae

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