Business France, the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy, is once again organizing the French section of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) and the International Water Summit (IWS) in Abu Dhabi on January 18-21, 2016, in partnership with the French embassy in the United Arab Emirates, the Club ADEME International and the French Renewable Energy Federation (Syndicat des Energies Renouvelables).

Geographically, France enjoys multiple benefits, from being the second largest wind power potential behind the United Kingdom, Europe’s fifth leading country in terms of sunshine, abundant water resources, major forest areas, the world’s second largest exclusive economic zone, just behind the United States, numerous geothermal resources.

These geographic characteristics, in addition to its internationally recognized expertise in the field of energy, give France the potential to become a major player in renewable energy and the chance to build powerful industrial sectors that could represent over 220,000 jobs by 2020.

France is Europe’s third largest producer of renewable energy. In 2014, France produced 91 TWh of electricity from renewable energy. The revenue from the French renewable energy sector amounts to €11.32 billion. France is the leading producer of water treatment equipment and is ranked within the top five global exporters in the air sector.

The Gulf countries have set a goal to integrate seven per cent of renewable energy into their energy mix by 2020 (i.e. 1,500 MW) as by then the energy consumption of these countries is set to double. The United Arab Emirates invests massively in renewable energy, water and the environment. A concrete example is the Masdar eco-city, the Shams 1 solar power station.

The numerous projects underway in the Gulf countries attract successful French businesses in the renewable energy, water and waste sectors. Their participation in the WFES and IWS trade show is certain to help them to promote their offer in the Middle East.