Another first for the UAE was highlighted at the Middle East Power & Water Conference 2007, with the seven emirates edging near the top of the global index for the highest water consumption per capita.
However, according to UAE’s Minister for Environment & Water, Dr Muhammed Al Kindi, the pressured utilities sector, specifically water conservation, has been a priority agenda for some time now.
UAE in good shape
“The UAE has 114 water dams with a joint capacity of 118 million cubic metres of rain water. Meanwhile, desalination pants for both drinking and industrial use provide an annual supply of 950 million cubic metres,” he told the 200-strong audience (at day one of the two-day conference).
He also confirmed that an on-going, nation-wide programme for the reuse of waste water enables in excess of 338 million cubic metres of recycled water to be used in landscaping and green belts areas per year.
Farmers join the cause
Part of the same programme has resulted in the uptake by farmers of modern irrigation systems across 86 per cent of the UAE’s cultivated areas.
All aspects of the region’s utilities system, which is under stress not only from the continuously rising demand, but also from alternative energies and eco-friendly options, are being tabled.
“Recent studies show that the GCC countries will invest $100 billion to generate 100,000 MW of additional power over the next 10 years to meet demand,” said Edmund O’Sullivan, conference chairman and editorial director of MEED.
Privatisation is the answer
Khalil Mohamed Foulathi, First Vice President at Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that privatisation of the sector is the answer, citing the 1998 agreement between Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADEWA) and CMS Energy Corp..
“Sceptics voiced concern for this pioneering move of its time, expressing doubt as to the success of the UAE’s first independent water and power project, (IWPP), Taweelah A-2.
“Today, Taweelah A-2 is being used across the region as a blueprint for successful privatisation and Abu Dhabi will soon be 100 per cent privatised in this sector,” he confirmed.
In addition to their excellencies and O’Sullivan, key event speakers include Dr. Ahmed Al Khaleefah, Assistant Deputy Ministry of Electricity, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Mr. Fehied F. Al Shareef, Governor, Saline Water Conversion Corporation; Peter Barker-Homek, CEO, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company – TAQA; in addition to senior representatives from Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADEWA) and many other key industry players.
