World Energy Council chair to discuss importance of shale gas production at WFES 2015

Shale gas production can complement renewables as its cleaner than fossil fuels. (Image source: WestoverEnergy/Flickr)

Marie-Jos? Nadeau, chair of the World Energy Council, plans to discuss the significance of shale gas production in the US on the deployment of renewables

According to the show organisers, Nadeau?s discussion is relevant especially in the light of the recent decline in oil prices. Marie-Jos? Nadeau assumed responsibility as chair of the World Energy Council in 2013. Earlier, she was the vice-chair of the Energy Council of Canada and chair of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Electricity Association. Nadeau also sits on UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon?s advisory board on Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All).

A recent report by Citigroup?s Research Equities division emphasised how gas and renewables could complement each other in a ?diversified energy mix?. Since solar and wind are intermittent power sources, they require backup in the form of natural gas, stated the report. Abu Dhabi?s International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) also stated that an increase in use of natural gas encourages the growth of renewable energy adoption as it would replace fossil fuels such as coal.

WFES 2015 aims to address the various challenges in energy, water security, climate risk and sustainable development and is the largest gathering of industry experts in the Middle East every year. The event scheduled to be held from 19-22 January 2015 at ADNEC and is being hosted by Masdar. WFES is part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).