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19 March 2024

Dh5.7bn allocated for new water and electricity projects in northern emirates

Khalifa, Mohammed receive Kuwait Emir (WAM)

Published
By WAM

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered the investment of Dh5.7 billion ($1.55 billion) in the expansion of the water and electricity supply sector in the northern emirates.

The move follows the tour of the northern emirates to study the conditions and needs of UAE citizens made last month on the instructions of Sheikh Khalifa by General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Electricity supply is to be provided to buildings and shops belonging to citizens in the northern emirates, the president ordered, with the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (Adwea) being instructed to supply the Federal Electricity and Water Authority (Fewa) with around 1,300 megawatts (MW) of power to meet projected demand.

Sheikh Khalifa also issued instructions for the construction of a 100 kilometre main water pipeline from Kalba, at the southern end of the UAE's East Coast, to Dibba, in the north, passing through the cities of Fujairah and Khor Fakkan. Estimated to cost Dh900 million, the pipeline will supply 23 million imperial gallons per day, MIGD, to Fujairah, 5 MIGD each to Khor Fakkan, Dibba and Kalba and 3 MIGD to Dhadnah.

Another 60 km pipeline, costing Dh300 million, will be built to supply 18 MIGD of water to the Emirate of Umm Al-Qaiwain. The water will be supplied from the Adwea power and desalination plants in Fujairah.

Another order provides for the supply by Adwea of 700 MW to the emirate of Sharjah, construction of a new main transmission station, with a capacity of 400 kV and costing Dh500 million, in the city of Sharjah and for the supply of an additional 10 MIGD of water to Sharjah, to meet local requirements.

The president has also issued an order for the establishment of a special committee comprised of representatives from Adwea, Fewa and the municipalities in the northern emirates. The committee is charged with studying anticipated demand for additional water and electricity supplies and with laying down suitable standards and measures to guarantee the implementation of the appropriate solutions.

Sheikh Khalifa had earlier ordered the construction of a 36-kilometre main pipeline, costing Dh158 million, to supply water to Ras Al-Khaimah. This is expected to be operational by October 2011. He had also given instructions for the construction of two power plants with the capacity of 132 KV in Kalba and Khor Fakkan at the cost of Dh220 million. These are to be linked to the Adwea grid.

Adwea has so far invested around Dh4 billion in the development of its power grid in the northern emirates. It has also constructed two water desalination and power generation projects in Fujairah at the cost of Dh16 billion, through joint ventures with companies from Japan, Singapore and Britain.

Of these, the newest, the Fujairah F2 Plant, is a green-field power generation and seawater desalination plant with 2,000 MW of net power capacity and 130 MIGD of net water capacity.
It started operating in December 2010, increasing production capacity in Adwea’s Fujairah plants to 2850 MW of power and 230 MIGD of water.

The investments ordered by the president are in accordance with the desire of the country's leadership to give priority to the needs of the UAE's citizens, to make use of all resources to develop the infrastructure, to enhance essential services and to provide satisfactory living standards for citizens.

 

President receives Emir of Kuwait

Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, arrived here this afternoon on a fraternal visit to the UAE.

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Sheikh Sabah and the accompanying delegation.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President's Representative were also present on the occasion.

 

Khalifa stresses UAE support to Bahrain 

Sheikh Khalifa also reiterated the UAE's support to the Kingdom of Bahrain to safeguard its security and stability, which are components of the regional stability.

He added that the UAE will not spare any effort to provide all forms of support to Bahrain to help it restore stability and growth.

This came during the reception of Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain and Deputy Supreme Commander of Bahrain Armed Forces, at Al Rawdah Palace in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday by the UAE President. The Crown Prince of Bahrain is visiting the country as part of the regional tour.

Present were Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President's Representative and General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The UAE President underlined that the UAE appreciates the wisdom exhibited by His Majesty King Hamad bin Eisa Al Khalifa of Bahrain in tackling the events and taking decisions to boost national solidarity in Bahrain in order to restore the security and stability.

He stressed the confidence of the UAE in King Hamad and Bahrain to overcome the problems through dialogue and keenness for nationbuilding of Bahrain.

The Crown Prince of Bahrain conveyed the regards of King Hamad to Sheikh Khalifa, adding that "we appreciate the continuous support of the UAE leadership and people to Bahrain". He briefed Sheikh Khalifa about the latest developments in Bahrain and the efforts being exerted by King Hamad to address the national objectives to build the kingdom.

They also tackled during the meeting the relations between the UAE and Bahrain and ways to bolster them in different fields. Sheikh Khalifa conveyed his regards to King Hamad.

Also present were Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Eastern Region, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser, Lt General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahtan, Foreign Minister, sheikhs and high ranking officials. The Crown Prince of Bahrain was accompanied by Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Bahrain Foreign Minister and Mohammed bin Hamad Saqr Al Moawda, Bahrain Ambassador to UAE.

 

Khalifa confers Federation Medal on Al Attiyah 

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Wednesday received Abdul Rahman Bin Hamad Al Attiyah, Secretary General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), who came to bid farewell at the end of his tenure as GCC Secretary-General.

Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President's Representative and Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region were also present on the occasion.

Sheikh Khalifa also conferred "Federation Medal" on Al Attiyah in recognition of his efforts in promoting the march of the Gulf Cooperation Council to reach to the targets and goals of its people.

Sheikh Khalifa wished Al Attiyah success in his future missions.

For his part, Al-Attiyah expressed his deep thanks and appreciation to President Khalifa for the help he offered to support the GCC march.

Al-Attiyah wished Sheikh Khalifa continuous good health and the people of the UAE progress and prosperity under his wise leadership.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler`s Representative in the Eastern Region, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Ahmed Juma Al Za'abi, Deputy Minister for Presidential Affairs in addition to a number of sheikhs and senior officials.