Feb 24 2008 |
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Dubai mulls coal-fired electricity plant
Dubai is planning to generate up to 4,000MW of electricity from coal, in the latest sign that a lack of gas is forcing Gulf states to turn to alternative energy sources, according to MEED magazine. The emirate is also pushing ahead with plans to import electricity from Iran, and is working on developing steam and nuclear plants, the London-based publication said.The coal-fired power plants will have a capacity of 2,000-4,000MW. "It is a very serious option," said a source at Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa). "A plot has already been allocated." The likely opposition from members of the public unwilling to have a coal-fired plant near them means that Dewa is refusing to say where the plants will be built, except that it will be in Dubai.
However, a UAE-based industry figure told MEED that Dubai would not be the best location for the project. "It would make more sense in Fujairah," he said. "The barges would not have to come into the Gulf and they could get the coal there more easily. If they bring the coal barges through to Dubai, they will have to pay high insurance rates and there is a lot of handling involved. Meeting environmental standards could also be expensive. We do not care about the cost," said the Dewa source. "We will do whatever it takes to comply with rules and regulations."
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