More than 32,000 people from 170 countries are expected to participate in the upcoming World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi, UAE, a key platform for clean energy investment opportunities.

Now in its eighth year, WFES takes place during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), running from January 17 to 24 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company, the ADSW is a yearly platform that addresses the interconnected challenges of energy and water security, climate risk and sustainable development.

The WFES provides participants with as an unmatched platform to meet with key international players from industry, technology, finance and government to drive actionable solutions to the world's energy challenges, according to industry leaders.

"WFES has proven to be the most important energy conference in the Middle East for cultivating sustainable energy solutions that help countries to lower their carbon footprints," said a representative of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), a principal sponsor of WFES.

"WFES generates collaboration among industry leaders to encourage the commercialisation of energy-efficient projects throughout the region," the Adnoc representative added.

Maria van der Hoeven, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) who will chair a panel on the energy opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa, said: "WFES is a platform to stimulate progress in helping the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa realise their goals in sustainable energy. As an event that brings together the world's leading minds to discuss and implement innovative energy solutions, WFES is an event with far-reaching international significance."

Sami Khoreibi, CEO of UAE-based solar developer Enviromena Power Systems, said: "WFES is the most important show in the region for meeting with partners, investors, and governments from all across the region and the globe, and to get an upfront look at the innovations driving renewable energy at both the project and technology levels.”

The large solar turnout for WFES 2015 also will include US-based First Solar, which has more than 8 gigawatts of installed capacity globally.

Wind energy is another sector with tremendous growth potential that will be in focus at WFES.

In addition to WFES, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week will feature the third International Water Summit, the second edition of EcoWASTE, and the seventh Zayed Future Energy Prize Award Ceremony as well as the Fifth General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency. – TradeArabia News Service