The 2.4-gigawatt Fujairah F3 gas-fired power plant has started commercial operations and is expected to power thousands of homes in the UAE.
The independent power producer (IPP) project has been developed by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa), which owns a 40 per cent stake in the project company, along with Marubeni Corporation (20.4 per cent), Mubadala (20 per cent) and Hokuriku Electric Power (19.6 per cent). The Emirates Water and Electricity Company (Ewec) is the sole procurer of electricity from the project, under a long-term power purchase agreement.
An IPP refers to a private entity that generates power for sale to a utility or end users.
Located in the Qidfa area in Fujairah, the facility is “one of the largest” gas-fired power plants in the UAE and is capable of powering approximately 380,000 homes, the companies said in a statement on Monday.
“Fujairah F3 plays a crucial role in meeting growing power demand and will provide reliable baseload power, while also providing the flexibility needed to integrate more renewables into the grid,” said Andreas Collor, chief operations officer of Taqa’s generation business.
The plant features gas turbine technology from Mitsubishi Power, integrated into combined cycle gas turbine configurations and offers “high thermal efficiency, rapid response capability, and a low emissions profile”, the companies said.
Taqa said in 2020 that it had achieved financial close for the project, expected to cost Dh4.2 billion ($1.14 billion), and initially expected to start operations in 2022.
The company is currently focusing on boosting its renewables portfolio, Taqa chief executive Jasim Thabet told The National in May. In April, it also announced an artificial intelligence-focused initiative expected to drive Dh36 billion of investments and will “continue to monitor the market for trends”, he said.
The UAE has been seeking to increase the share of clean energy in the electricity generation mix amid growing demand. Ewec supplies more than 55 per cent of Abu Dhabi's power through renewable and clean energy sources and plans to raise it to 60 per cent by 2035.
Last year, the utility also said there was urgent need for an additional 5.1 gigawatts of gas capacity in the emirate to support the integration of renewable energy projects and provide flexibility during peak demand, state news agency Wam reported.
This includes about 2.5 gigawatts of combined-cycle gas turbine capacity by 2028, along with 2.6 gigawatts of open-cycle gas turbine capacity, expected to be available by 2027, the company said at the time.
In April, Taqa also has signed a 24-year power purchase agreement with Ewec to build and operate a one-gigawatt open-cycle gas turbine project in Al Dhafra.
“The commencement of full commercial operations at Fujairah F3 marks a major achievement in our strategic energy infrastructure development,” said Mohamed Almarzooqi, chief asset development and management officer of Ewec.
“The plant provides transitional capacity, supporting the integration of utility-scale renewable energy while ensuring grid reliability during peak demand periods.”
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
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The five pillars of Islam
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
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Disability on screen
Empire — neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis; bipolar disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Rosewood and Transparent — heart issues
24: Legacy — PTSD;
Superstore and NCIS: New Orleans — wheelchair-bound
Taken and This Is Us — cancer
Trial & Error — cognitive disorder prosopagnosia (facial blindness and dyslexia)
Grey’s Anatomy — prosthetic leg
Scorpion — obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety
Switched at Birth — deafness
One Mississippi, Wentworth and Transparent — double mastectomy
Dragons — double amputee
SPECS
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Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
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SPECS
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
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