ABU DHABI, 12th May, 2022 (WAM) -- Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy (DoE) and the Ministry of Trade and Export Development for the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to collaborate on sustainable energy initiatives.

Signed by Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Chairman of DoE, and Scott Moe, Premier of Saskatchewan, on behalf of Saskatchewan's Ministry of Trade and Export Development, the MoU establishes collaboration efforts in four key areas of carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS), hydrogen, small modular reactors (SMRs) and research and development to identify new innovative technologies that will allow both the DoE and Saskatchewan to reach net zero by 2050.

Discussing the significance of the agreement, Al Marar said that the document enshrines the intention of the two parties to forge a stronger relationship through increased collaboration and knowledge sharing with the aim of reaching their common goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

'The MoU signed today outlines our shared interests in innovation, diversification, clean technologies, economic advancement, and environmental sustainability in the energy sector,' he said. 'We are looking forward to building a long term relationship with Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Trade and Export Development to advance our mutual energy objectives and to create a cleaner and brighter future for all.'

'We look forward to increasing the cooperation and knowledge sharing between our two jurisdictions to find mutually beneficial ways to further reduce energy sector emissions. Saskatchewan has the food, the fertiliser, and the sustainable fuel this world needs and balancing economic opportunities for our province with maintaining a firm commitment to environmental protection measures is not only the right thing to do but it is good for our economy and building a strong Saskatchewan,' Premier Moe said.

Under the agreement, the two organisations will cooperate to share their knowledge and capabilities in the energy sector and will convene regularly to discuss developments and undertake key initiatives. Specific activities include each partner hosting two meetings, technical workshops, or seminars per year, with a joint review on the progress of the schedule being reported to the two stakeholders’ senior management annually.

The MoU establishes collaboration efforts in four key areas: Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), with activities encompassing the assessment and development of new CCUS technologies; Hydrogen, including its production, transportation, storage and use; Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), including their regulatory, policy, licencing, waste management, and safety and security aspects; and Research and Development (R&D), with agreed initiatives including the identification of new innovative technologies that will allow the DoE and Saskatchewan to reach net zero by 2050.

Witnessing the signing, Marcy Grossman, Ambassador of Canada to the UAE, underlined that, 'Canada and the UAE have a long-standing energy relationship built on trade, investment, innovation and regulatory cooperation. This MoU is an important milestone that will accelerate our countries’ shared vision to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.'

wam