Scotland to host annual low carbon investment conference

The event is to be opened by First Minister, The Right Honourable Mr Alex Salmond MSP, who will highlight Scotland's role in leading innovation and development in the low carbon field. Other speakers include Mr Ron Heyselaar, head of project development for the Abu Dhabi renewable Energy Company (Masdar), who will be giving a keynote speech on deploying large scale clean energy projects and the importance of partnership and policy. Mr. Heyselaar will be joined by Lord Smith of Kelvin, Chairman of the UK's Green Investment Bank, and Mr Kristian Moller, the Deputy Director General of the Danish Energy Agency will also be speaking alongside Mr Fergus Ewing, Scotland's Energy Minister.

Masdar and the Scottish Government signed a Framework for Action (FFA) to develop a comprehensive renewable energy plan in January earlier this year at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi. Masdar's attendance at the Edinburgh conference is further evidence of the close working relationship that Scotland is developing with the UAE-based organization.
"The framework signed by the Scottish Government and Masdar—Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company—combines efforts to advance new, sustainable forms of energy," added Mr. Heyselaar, head of project development for Masdar. "We realize the value and benefits that stems from our cooperation and collaboration on renewable energy projects."

Dr Lena Wilson, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, Scotland's main economic development agency responsible for attracting foreign investment into the country, said: " With unrivalled natural resources -25% of Europe's tidal resources and 25% of Europe's wind resource and 10% of Europe's wave resource - Scotland has some of the most ambitious renewable energy targets in the world. We are committed to producing the equivalent of 100% of electricity from renewables by 2020. This makes us a hub for research into sustainable energy solutions and a focus for international investment and the conference provides an ideal opportunity for the clean energy industry to come together and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. "

"We are thrilled to have Masdar on board for this year's conference and this is a valuable platform from which we can share our combined knowledge with other international partners, and focus on development opportunities, investment in low carbon projects, technological cooperation, policy-making and best practice initiatives."