Dubai looks to coal and nuclear energy diversification

Dubai looks to coal and nuclear energy diversification

Dubai’s Supreme Council of Energy 2030 is exploring alternative energy resources.

June 24, 2010 10:09 by Rasha Reslan

The Dubai government has established a Supreme Council of Energy charged with developing an Energy Strategy 2030 – aimed at exploring alternative energy resources to power the emirates energy needs and meet future demand. Coal and nuclear technology are among the options being explored as the government aims to diversify the energy sector, the Gulf News reported Thursday.

The private sector is invited to partnerships in the alternative energy sector, but private ownership will not exceed 40 percent, explained Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, vice-chairman of the Supreme Council of Energy, and managing director and chief executive of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, the Gulf News quoted.

Global advisory group McKenzie & Co has been recruited to aid in the development of the 2030 strategy, and the council is reportedly considering short, medium, and long-range time frame plans for the use of alternative energy strategies to supply the emirate’s power needs.

“It is a study at this stage which will be completed in August. The power demand in Dubai is increasing,” the Gulf News quoted Al Tayer as saying.