The UAE’s achievements in renewable energy this year are the result of years of planning and preparation. The UAE began to look for alternatives to gas-fired generation in 2008. In its policy document in April that year, it identified the merits of renewable power generation versus traditional generation.
This year, the plan reaped results.
In March, Abu Dhabi inaugurated its Shams 1 concentrated solar power plant. At 100MW it is the largest renewable energy project in the Arabian Gulf. It is also the UAE’s first project financed solar power facility.
Dubai set its sights on developing a solar power sector at a later stage than Abu Dhabi but in the past year the emirate has shown signs of catching up. Having unveiled its plan to develop 1,000MW of clean power at its Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in January last year, Dubai has already taken great strides forward. It launched a tender to build the park’s first solar project in April last year and commissioned it in October this year.
Both emirates have set ambitious targets for renewable energy usage. Abu Dhabi’s target is 7 per cent of total generation by 2020. Dubai aims to build enough renewable energy generation capacity to supply 5 per cent of its energy needs by 2030. However, “that does not mean that we won’t do more than that”, said Waleed Salman, the executive vice-president for strategy and business development at Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa).
Abu Dhabi launched its Future Energy Company (Masdar) in 2006 with the intention of exploring the potential of a range of renewable energy resources. Most of its projects have been solar powered because of the UAE’s high irradiation levels.
Masdar first installed a 1MW project, which was followed by a 10MW photovoltaic (PV) solar facility using two different types of technology. The Shams 1 solar project, which was inaugurated earlier this year, uses concentrated solar power (CSP) technology.
According to Sebastian Fenk, the vice president of Germany’s KfW IPEX-Bank in Abu Dhabi, which was one of the financiers of the project, the UAE’s regulatory framework compares favourably to other countries in the region. “The yield conditions are excellent,” said Mr Fenk. “There is a general political commitment to promoting of renewables, particularly solar.”
Dubai’s renewable energy strategy is fixed squarely on solar power. “We tested the solar resources in Dubai,” said Dewa’s Mr Salman. “The [Direct Normal Irradiance] is about 1,600-1,800. CSP projects require closer to 2,000 or above. These are factors that we consider ... Our focus is on PV solar for the next few years [but] that doesn’t mean that we won’t do CSP solar in the future. PV solar is currently the peaking part but when we need base capacity we might look at CSP.”
When complete, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park at a site in Seih Al-Dahal will have a capacity of 1,000MW and will cover more than 40 square kilometres. While the initial 13MW plant is only a small part of the overall scheme, it is a landmark achievement for Dubai, which had only about 4.5MW of installed solar power capacity previously.
The speed with which the project was built is impressive. It took only a year to build. “It was quick because all of the procedures, systems and support is already here,” said Mr Salman. “We don’t need to go to government to get approvals, everything is already there and it’s clear how to do business.”
The US-based company First Solar was responsible for the construction of the project. Ahmed Nada, the vice-president of business development for the Mena region at First Solar, said Dubai was keen to see construction completed within a short time frame, which was reflected in the tender requirements. First Solar previously supplied technology for half of Masdar’s 10MW solar project in Abu Dhabi. The company’s presence in the capital helped it to deliver Dubai’s solar project to a challenging schedule. “Basically, because of our capabilities we were able to implement the project and put a schedule in place that the UAE wanted,” said Mr Nada. “Dubai is well known as a [place] that delivers on its promises.”
With its first significant solar project now in operation, Dubai has turned its attention to future plans for the same site. “We have just received bids from advisers for a 100MW photovoltaic solar [independent power project],” said Mr Salman. “We aim to invite expressions of interest next year.”
The 100MW facility could well be Dubai’s first independent power project (IPP) depending on whether the construction of Dewa’s planned coal-fired power plant is concluded before or after the solar plant is connected to the grid. This aspect makes the project doubly ambitious. But First Solar’s Mr Ahmed is confident that the project structure will appeal to developers: “Dubai will make sure that the project is attractive and they will put in place all the schemes to make it possible.”
Like Masdar in Abu Dhabi, Dubai also aspires to be a research and development hub for clean technology. “We are setting up an innovation centre so that we can lead by example,” said Mr Salman. “We’re also going to have a research and development test field. We’re allowing all solar [manufacturers] to set up small panels of around 1-5kW to demonstrate their technologies.”
Mr Salman also hopes that the World Expo 2020, to be hosted in Dubai, will be a catalyst for solar power development in the emirate as sustainability was one of the key themes included in Dubai’s bid to host the event.
Maintaining the momentum of the past year will be pivotal if the UAE is to develop its renewable energy projects into a fully-fledged clean tech industry. Suppliers, developers and financiers are going to be a lot more willing to commit to establishing a presence in the country if they anticipate that other projects will follow. “If a solar panel manufacturer sees that Abu Dhabi is going to tender, for example, 10 solar PV projects over the next 10 years, it is more likely to be willing to participate in the tenders, as if it does not win the first tender it will have built up an expertise in the sector ... that it can offset against its costs of participating in subsequent tenders,” said Stephen Knight, a senior associate at law firm Allen & Overy’s Abu Dhabi office. .
A sustained programme of projects will also help Abu Dhabi and Dubai to meet their renewable energy targets. This will be far from easy as year-on-year electricity demand continues to rise, forcing the UAE to build more overall power generating capacity.
business@thenational.ae
The bio
Favourite book: Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer
Favourite quote: “The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist
Favourite Authors: Arab poet Abu At-Tayyib Al-Mutanabbi
Favourite Emirati food: Luqaimat, a deep-fried dough soaked in date syrup
Hobbies: Reading and drawing
UAE%20ILT20
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Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
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NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
2019 Asian Cup final
Japan v Qatar
Friday, 6pm
Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
Your rights as an employee
The government has taken an increasingly tough line against companies that fail to pay employees on time. Three years ago, the Cabinet passed a decree allowing the government to halt the granting of work permits to companies with wage backlogs.
The new measures passed by the Cabinet in 2016 were an update to the Wage Protection System, which is in place to track whether a company pays its employees on time or not.
If wages are 10 days late, the new measures kick in and the company is alerted it is in breach of labour rules. If wages remain unpaid for a total of 16 days, the authorities can cancel work permits, effectively shutting off operations. Fines of up to Dh5,000 per unpaid employee follow after 60 days.
Despite those measures, late payments remain an issue, particularly in the construction sector. Smaller contractors, such as electrical, plumbing and fit-out businesses, often blame the bigger companies that hire them for wages being late.
The authorities have urged employees to report their companies at the labour ministry or Tawafuq service centres — there are 15 in Abu Dhabi.
Al Jazira's foreign quartet for 2017/18
Romarinho, Brazil
Lassana Diarra, France
Sardor Rashidov, Uzbekistan
Mbark Boussoufa, Morocco
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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
Common OCD symptoms and how they manifest
Checking: the obsession or thoughts focus on some harm coming from things not being as they should, which usually centre around the theme of safety. For example, the obsession is “the building will burn down”, therefore the compulsion is checking that the oven is switched off.
Contamination: the obsession is focused on the presence of germs, dirt or harmful bacteria and how this will impact the person and/or their loved ones. For example, the obsession is “the floor is dirty; me and my family will get sick and die”, the compulsion is repetitive cleaning.
Orderliness: the obsession is a fear of sitting with uncomfortable feelings, or to prevent harm coming to oneself or others. Objectively there appears to be no logical link between the obsession and compulsion. For example,” I won’t feel right if the jars aren’t lined up” or “harm will come to my family if I don’t line up all the jars”, so the compulsion is therefore lining up the jars.
Intrusive thoughts: the intrusive thought is usually highly distressing and repetitive. Common examples may include thoughts of perpetrating violence towards others, harming others, or questions over one’s character or deeds, usually in conflict with the person’s true values. An example would be: “I think I might hurt my family”, which in turn leads to the compulsion of avoiding social gatherings.
Hoarding: the intrusive thought is the overvaluing of objects or possessions, while the compulsion is stashing or hoarding these items and refusing to let them go. For example, “this newspaper may come in useful one day”, therefore, the compulsion is hoarding newspapers instead of discarding them the next day.
Source: Dr Robert Chandler, clinical psychologist at Lighthouse Arabia
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
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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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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