UAE Delegation Explores Energy And Water Cooperation Initiatives In Korea And Hong Kong

Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, recently visited Hong Kong and South Korea. His trip aimed to strengthen partnerships in sustainable development and energy security. During his visit, he met with senior officials and explored facilities focused on sustainability to gain insights into their initiatives.

In Hong Kong, Eng. Al Olama toured the international airport, where he learned about its sustainability efforts. The airport has implemented a large Battery Energy Storage System, expanded rooftop solar PV capacity, adopted sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), and integrated AI-driven technologies. Vivian Kar Fai Cheung, CEO of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), welcomed him to discuss collaboration on SAF production and supply chain development.

Al Olama expressed admiration for the airport's leadership in renewable energy investments. He noted that these initiatives align with the UAE’s goals for net-zero emissions. "The UAE and Hong Kong share a vision of building sustainable, future-ready infrastructure," he said. He highlighted Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport as leaders in SAF adoption.

While in Hong Kong, Al Olama also visited Tellus Power, a company known for scalable EV charging solutions worldwide. Following Tellus Power MENA's establishment in the UAE, discussions focused on future collaborations for developing ultra-fast charging networks and smart charging solutions.

From Hong Kong, Al Olama traveled to Busan, South Korea, to attend the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) Plenary Session. He emphasized the UAE's commitment to advancing global energy transition efforts through an integrated approach aligning sustainable development with climate goals.

Commitment to Global Energy Efficiency

The UAE has positioned itself as a leader in low-carbon energy by investing in clean hydrogen and SAF innovations. These efforts not only meet domestic needs but also support global decarbonisation while creating economic opportunities. "The UAE remains deeply committed to advancing global efforts that accelerate an inclusive, secure, and resilient energy transition," Al Olama stated.

On the sidelines of his Busan visit, Al Olama met Ditte Juul-Jorgensen from the European Commission. He encouraged EU Member States to join the Global Energy Efficiency Alliance (GEEA), initiated by the UAE to prioritize energy efficiency across sectors.

Water Resource Cooperation

After Busan, Al Olama co-chaired a meeting in Seoul focusing on water resource cooperation between the UAE and South Korea. He highlighted policies aimed at developing sustainable water supplies through membrane-based desalination technologies and renewable energy integration.

"The UAE’s water sector policies focus on developing sustainable water supply sources," he said. The UAE is preparing to co-host the 2026 UN Water Conference with Senegal to accelerate Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6) related to water management.

Collaborations in Hydrogen Production

In Seoul, Al Olama engaged with Fuel Cell Innovations (FCI) to explore collaboration opportunities in hydrogen production and carbon capture. Discussions also took place with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) regarding grid stability management lessons and KEPCO’s role over Charging Point Operators.

The cooperation between the UAE and South Korea serves as a model for achieving global climate targets through sustainable water and energy goals. This partnership reflects both countries' dedication to addressing climate challenges collaboratively.

With inputs from WAM