Sharjah's natural gas consumption up 30.8%

In 2009, Sharjah consumed more natural gas by 30.8 per cent as the emirate underwent tremendous socio-economic and industrial development.

Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) managed to make great strides in developing the electricity, water and natural gas sectors to meet the growing demand for these services.

''Gas connection points saw a substantial increase to 156,859 in 2009 from 133,227 in 2008. Supply of natural gas pumped by gas stations to various Sharjah areas rose 32.3 million cubic metres by the end of 2009 from 26.7 million cubic metres,'' according to Tareq Demas, Director of Natural Gas, Sewa.

He said that consumers of natural gas increased spectacularly by 24,700 to 155,163 in 2009, from 130,433 the previous year.

''Sewa’s gas pumping stations have large reserve capacities to satisfy any expected demand for gas in the future,'' he added.

''The Sharjah Piped Natural Gas Project is progressing as schedule and the network has reached the emirates’ industrial area in Sajaa. The gas network in Sharjah city has stretched 1,600 kilometres. Connections are being laid down for newly developed residential, commercial and industrial areas,'' he added.

''Sewa is exploring the possibility of using gas in other sectors like air-conditioning,'' he said.

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