It is with great pleasure that I invite you to the joint SHC 2017 / SWC 2017 conference, which will be held on 29 October to 2 November, 2017 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The UAE is uniquely positioned to host the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme's (IEA SHC) and the International Solar Energy Society’s (ISES) key events.  The country has an ambitious renewable energy target of having clean energy sources account for 24% of its energy mix by 2021, and is advancing the deployment of solar energy in the region. The UAE’s regional leadership in solar energy is demonstrated by the establishment of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai, which is expected to have 5,000MW of solar energy capacity  once completed in 2030; the Shams 1 concentrated solar power plant, which has a 100MW capacity operational since 2013; and the 350 MW Abu Dhabi solar PV power plant recently tendered..   

Abu Dhabi is also host to the global headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which is a reflection of the UAE’s commitment to expanding access to sustainable, clean energy both domestically and internationally.

Strategically located at the crossroads of the world, Abu Dhabi is a perfect meeting place to bring together global energy experts.  As the host of the annual Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) and the 2016 SolarPACES conference, we expect that the Solar World Congress 2017 will meet with similar success, providing participants with the invaluable opportunity to network, develop partnerships and exchange ideas with local and international renewable energy experts.

We are confident that this joint conference will provide the platform needed to achieve the goals of developing and expanding solar energy technologies throughout the world. And, we also hope that you will utilize the event as an opportunity to discover and experience some of the UAE’s rich culture and heritage – which can be experienced in museums and heritage centers and other venues during your stay.

We look forward to seeing you in Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Steve Griffith
Masdar Institute of Science and Technology