FLIGHT RESUMES
Hasan Al Redaini, Solar Impulse 2’s Emirati team member, gets back into gear,
HONOLULU // If you had told me 10 years ago that one day a plane would fly around the world using only the power of the Sun, I would not have believed you.
If you had told me I would one day represent my country on a daring and historic expedition across the globe, I would not have believed that either. Today, I know better. It has been eight months since
Solar Impulse 2 – the solar-powered plane circumnavigating the world – arrived in Hawaii. It changed my life. The bold and inspiring adventure, supported by Masdar and Abu Dhabi, is pushing the boundaries of innovation and helping to increase awareness of clean technologies.
As a young Emirati, I understand the relationship between sustainability and innovation and the role they play in shaping our nation’s economy.
Like the Swiss company behind Solar Impulse 2, Abu Dhabi is exploring horizons and is committed to the development of technologies that contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
The Paris Agreement helped usher in a phase of energy transition – and renewables lead the way.
The use of renewables is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, with greater contributions to power generation, heating and cooling and transport.
The Solar Impulse story is one of optimism and an example of how human ingenuity can solve some of our greatest challenges.
It is a story that unites us all and hints at the future – and what is possible.
I miss my family and friends, but I am excited about starting our second leg.
More importantly, I am excited about speaking to my peers and others about the importance of innovation and the technologies that enable a sustainable, cleaner future.