The new era of offshore wind power demands engineering as formidable as that achieved in the era of oil and gas. The UAE is playing its role: the nearly 4000-tonne Hollandse Kust Zuid Beta electrical platform was built in Drydocks World Dubai and sailed out on February 18 to its ultimate location off the coast of the Netherlands.
The HKZ installation is the world’s first offshore wind farm that did not require subsidies to be economically viable. Covering nearly 236 square kilometres, in waters between 17 and 28 metres deep, it will generate 1.5 gigawatts, enough for more than two million Dutch households when it reaches full operations next year.
The HKZ Beta platform will be anchored in the stormy North Sea waters near Rotterdam, gathering electricity from the offshore turbines, then using transformers to increase voltage to match the onshore grid. It will not require crew on board in normal operation.
Offshore wind power has dramatically expanded and gained interest in the past couple of years because of its improving technology, scale and cost-competitiveness, energy security concerns over gas supply, and drives by European and other nations for net-zero carbon emissions.
Following the Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine, the Netherlands announced it would double its previously planned offshore wind capacity by 2030, to about 20.7 gigawatts, 3 gigawatts of which is operational or under construction today. The UK, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, Norway, France and others also have ambitious goals.
After constructing the Alpha platform, Sharjah-based engineering company Petrofac built HKZ Beta at Drydocks World for TenneT, which among other activities runs the offshore electricity grids for the Dutch and German wind-farms. The jacket (supporting structure) for the platform was assembled in Ras Al Khaimah. The whole project therefore features a significant “made in the UAE” component.
“One of the criteria we set was the experience of Petrofac and Dubai Drydocks,” says Marco Kuijpers, Director Large Project Offshore at TenneT.
“Although not part of the original plan, the way the UAE managed the pandemic, when businesses, travel and transport of equipment continued, helped us,” Elie Lahoud, Petrofac’s chief operating officer of engineering and construction, said.
“The only way Europe can deliver its intended energy transition is by going global, with more recognition that other countries must play a part,” Mr Lahoud said.
The project was challenging “in a multidisciplinary setting, on quite a tight timescale” Mr Kuijpers, said. “And then on top of that, the pandemic.”
Development of Emirati staff, especially women, has been a key objective of Petrofac’s.
“I got to be an integral part of the electrical construction team. I am proud to be playing my role in ours and our client’s journey to Net Zero,” electrical engineer Hebah Alhadhrami said.
For Marwah Alshaali, process engineer, attending the sail away of both Alpha and Beta platforms was one of her “proudest moments” and “an exciting time to be in this industry".
The project also aligns with the nation’s climate-related ambitions.
“Many UAE companies have helped us to succeed globally. The decarbonisation objective starts with the supply chain,” Mr Lahoud said. “We help our partners understand what they need to do to reduce carbon footprint.”
Captain Rado Antolovic, chief executive of Drydocks World, owned by DP World, said the company is committed to innovative low-carbon solutions and intends to be completely net-zero by 2040. It is actively transforming from being primarily a shipyard to a front-runner in renewable energy construction.
“We have actually executed four of these electrical conversion projects, and in a short span, technology has advanced remarkably,” Captain Antolovic said.
Other environmentally focused projects are: installing scrubbers to reduce marine pollution, supporting the transition from heavy fuel oil for vessels to gas and using special coatings to reduce ships’ fuel consumption.
“The experience and same technology of subsea cables and transformers is helping decarbonise offshore oil operators, as with Adnoc’s Project Lightning for electrifying platforms,” Mr Lahoud said.
With its reputation enhanced by this project, Petrofac has delivered another topside installation for Seagreen, a Scottish wind farm, and is receiving other inquiries, including from East Asia and the US, and onshore wind at Duqm in Oman, with potential for hydrogen production. The HKZ platform is therefore a pioneer in turning the UAE’s maritime and petroleum experience into new energy industries.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Teams
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan Shanwari, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Corey Anderson, Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Seth Rance, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Liverpool 2 (Van Dijk 18', 24')
Brighton 1 (Dunk 79')
Red card: Alisson (Liverpool)
Vikram%20Vedha
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
UAE tour of the Netherlands
UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures:
Monday, 1st 50-over match
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match
How to donate
Text the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
6025 - Dh 20
2252 - Dh 50
2208 - Dh 100
6020 - Dh 200
*numbers work for both Etisalat and du
Contracted list
Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Matt Renshaw, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Other must-tries
Tomato and walnut salad
A lesson in simple, seasonal eating. Wedges of tomato, chunks of cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, coriander or parsley leaves, and perhaps some fresh dill are drizzled with a crushed walnut and garlic dressing. Do consider yourself warned: if you eat this salad in Georgia during the summer months, the tomatoes will be so ripe and flavourful that every tomato you eat from that day forth will taste lacklustre in comparison.
Badrijani nigvzit
A delicious vegetarian snack or starter. It consists of thinly sliced, fried then cooled aubergine smothered with a thick and creamy walnut sauce and folded or rolled. Take note, even though it seems like you should be able to pick these morsels up with your hands, they’re not as durable as they look. A knife and fork is the way to go.
Pkhali
This healthy little dish (a nice antidote to the khachapuri) is usually made with steamed then chopped cabbage, spinach, beetroot or green beans, combined with walnuts, garlic and herbs to make a vegetable pâté or paste. The mix is then often formed into rounds, chilled in the fridge and topped with pomegranate seeds before being served.
MATCH INFO
Hoffenheim v Liverpool
Uefa Champions League play-off, first leg
Location: Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim
Kick-off: Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs: 2017 Lotus Evora Sport 410
Price, base / as tested Dh395,000 / Dh420,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission Six-speed manual
Power 410hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 420Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.7L / 100km
Opening Rugby Championship fixtures:Games can be watched on OSN Sports
Saturday: Australia v New Zealand, Sydney, 1pm (UAE)
Sunday: South Africa v Argentina, Port Elizabeth, 11pm (UAE)
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Schedule:
Pakistan v Sri Lanka:
28 Sep-2 Oct, 1st Test, Abu Dhabi
6-10 Oct, 2nd Test (day-night), Dubai
13 Oct, 1st ODI, Dubai
16 Oct, 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi
18 Oct, 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi
20 Oct, 4th ODI, Sharjah
23 Oct, 5th ODI, Sharjah
26 Oct, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
27 Oct, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
29 Oct, 3rd T20I, Lahore
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Intercontinental Cup
Namibia v UAE Saturday Sep 16-Tuesday Sep 19
Table 1 Ireland, 89 points; 2 Afghanistan, 81; 3 Netherlands, 52; 4 Papua New Guinea, 40; 5 Hong Kong, 39; 6 Scotland, 37; 7 UAE, 27; 8 Namibia, 27
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