The EU-funded REGACE Project was presented at the Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition and the Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition 2024, held from November 26th to 28th in the United Arab Emirates. These events, coinciding with Global Food Week, served as a platform to foster international collaboration and advance the global food and beverage sector.
Dr. Ibrahim Yehia, REGACE coordinator from the Alzahrawy Society, represented the project during a panel discussion. His presentation highlighted the project’s innovative agrivoltaics technology, can be utilized to sustainably increase greenhouse yields and improve electricity production contributing to stabilizing agricultural produce prices and improving energy and food security.
“The REGACE project offers a transformative solution for agriculture,” Dr. Yehia stated. “By enabling farmers to generate electricity alongside food production, we create new revenue streams and address energy needs, especially for off-grid agricultural operations. In regions like Abu Dhabi, where sunlight is abundant, our solar panels also provide shading, replacing traditional shading nets and optimizing greenhouse climate conditions.”
Throughout the event, the REGACE team engaged with key stakeholders, including local corporations in food and energy sectors, UAE officials, technology hubs, the Technological Standards Institute of Abu Dhabi, and researchers from Abu Dhabi University. These interactions paved the way for potential collaborations that could extend the reach and impact of agrivoltaics technology.
The Abu Dhabi exhibitions attracted approximately 35,000 visitors and facilitated over 1,600 meetings between participants and exhibitors from all over the world. This impressive turnout underscored the events’ role in driving strategic investments and partnerships to strengthen regional and global food systems.
In addition to showcasing the REGACE Project, the exhibitions featured national programs dedicated to ensuring food availability within an integrated food security framework. The 3rd Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition and the 10th Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition, alongside the inaugural Abu Dhabi Coffee Festival, highlighted innovative solutions and initiatives to address pressing challenges in food and energy sustainability.
