SHARJAH -- Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) is likely to put off the implementation of the project aimed at operating cars by compressed natural gas (CNG) instead of petrol till the beginning of next year, according to a Sewa official.
Sewa announced the project in the beginning of 2004 and was planning to implement it by the end of 2004. But according to the new decision, the project might be postponed till 2005.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: "The project was scheduled to be completed during this year, but for certain reasons we have decided to postpone the implementation of the project."
When Khaleej Times contacted Engineer Tareq Demas, Manager of the Directorate of Natural Gas Distribution of Sewa, to confirm the postponement of the project, he refused to comment on the issue.
In an earlier interview with Engineer Deemas, he had mentioned that the major aim of initiating this vital project, which was approved by the Executive of Sharjah, was to introduce the most efficient and cleanest energy as fuel for transport.
"The project was going to be executed in several phases. During the first phase of implementing the project, we decided to convert vehicles and cars owned by Sewa into compressed natural gas. We were also studying the plan of offering natural gas at local petrol stations such as Eppco and Emarat instead of building our own gas stations. This move will be less costly for us and people will have the option of either using natural gas or petrol. The main notion behind introducing this project is to reduce the living costs for people and to meet the challenges of the future witnessed in energy field," he said.
The project was initiated in line with the instructions of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah aimed at bringing development and prosperity to Sharjah.
A well-known clean energy company having branches in various Arab countries will implement the postponed project. The company operates cars by natural gas instead of petrol and diesel.By Lina Abdul Rahman
© Khaleej Times 2004
