UAE will need 40MW of electricity by 2020

The energy needs of the UAE are increasing in parallel to its demographic and economic growth. By 2020, the UAE will need 40 megawatts of electricity to meet its domestic demand.

Around 25 megawatts are expected to be provided by non-nuclear energy, especially hydrocarbons and renewable sources, said Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, who opened the three-day World Future Energy Summit yesterday. The peaceful nuclear programme that the UAE has embarked on seeks to meet the remaining 15 megawatts. From the beginning, the UAE has clearly highlighted the peaceful and transparent nature of its nuclear program, he said.

David Miliband MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, UK, said the UAE is a microcosm of peace and tolerance with a visionary outlook. The ties between the UAE and the UK dates back 100 years."

Gargash said co-operation deals signed with France will guarantee the UAE receives the most advanced technologies for nuclear electricity generation, and will ensure the greatest standards of safety and security. The UK is also a partner of great interest to the UAE. The UAE plans to launch a peaceful nuclear programme for power generation that will be a model to other countries in the region.


Two deals with UK

The UK has two memoranda of understanding with the UAE. The first has already been signed with the Masdar Initiative on alternative energy solutions.

The second, with the UAE Foreign Ministry, to be signed shortly, deals with peaceful co-operation in the field of nuclear energy, said David Miliband MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the United Kingdom.