In line with its ambitions of becoming a leader in clean energy adoption and carbon reduction, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has launched an immersive virtual reality experience at its Innovation Centre located within the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. The new metaverse feature allows visitors to take a virtual aerial tour over the sprawling solar complex through VR headsets, giving them a bird’s eye view of the project’s immense scale and infrastructure.
From an investment promotion perspective, rolling out cutting-edge experiences aligned with Dewa’s sustainability mandate makes strategic sense. The Solar Park metaverse tour is set to enhance Dubai’s appeal as a hub for environmentally conscious businesses and talent. By appealing to the imagination of future generations with interactive new media, Dewa is securing its position as an employer of choice for innovators. This supports the emirate’s ‘51% green economy‘ vision by 2050 by bringing best-in-class career opportunities.
Financially, the metaverse experience is also expected to boost visitor footfall at the Innovation Centre. With ticket pricing of Dh50-80, the additional revenue stream will complement returns from Dewa’s multi-billion dollar solar investments. Stronger community engagement through an immersive experience is likely to foster goodwill, strengthening Dewa’s position with stakeholders. The centre already attracts over 40,000 visitors annually, indications are the virtual tour will significantly grow these numbers.
Beyond revenue, greater outreach aligns with Dewa’s mandate to accelerate public understanding of clean energy goals. Educating the youth on sustainability solutions through engaging formats like virtual reality helps nurture a virtuous cycle of support. It readies future workforce with the right skills and mindset, higher talents pool in turn helping Dubai achieve its renewable capacity expansion targets smoothly.
On the project implementation front, the timing of the metaverse launch bodes well. With Phase V of the Solar Park nearing completion, showcasing the amenities and scale through new media right now helps solidify Dubai’s credentials as a prime destination for clean energy firms and investors. The project is already a case study followed globally – the virtual experience reinforces the emirate’s position at the cutting-edge.
Research shows experiences hold more recall value compared to static displays for 93% of people. By bringing the Solar Park to life through VR, Dewa ensures its message cuts through the powerful visual medium in an immersive way. Brand visibility translates to credibility, an asset that eases project contracting and supply-chain tie-ups. It strengthens localization efforts under Make-It-In-The Emirates initiatives which power the transition to green economy.
For stakeholders in Dubai’s solar industry ecosystem, the metaverse experience serves to stir imagination and fuel ideas. Policymakers see first-hand how innovative solutions can engage residents on go-green drives. Engineers derive inspiration to develop more advanced clean solutions. Students gain motivation to enrol in relevant academia. Together this translates to a robust talent pipeline, boosting long term productivity for Dewa and solar EPC majors.
On the global clean energy investment circuit too, Dubai’s Solar Park metaverse experience could spark interesting deals and collaborations. Projects of such scale often rely on international funding syndications and technical expertise. Virtual exposure stimulates brainstorming new models of public-private clean energy financing and operations. Over time, this thought leadership spins off into productive R&D and industrial partnerships, enhancing value from Dewa’s green asset portfolio.
In summary, Dewa’s ambitious use of metaverse to spotlight its Solar Park investments demonstrates astute long term thinking. Financially, reputationally and from a human capital development view, the dividends from this virtual experience could prove multi-fold by advancing Dubai’s profile as the region’s undisputed leader in sustainable economic growth. It underscores the emirate’s focus on translating climate action vision into reality through constant innovation.
