Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, better known as Taqa, has signed an agreement to build a waste-fuelled power plant that would be among the largest of its kind in the world.
The plant, a first for the UAE, is part of a wider project to drastically reduce the amount of rubbish that is buried in landfills in the desert.
"We see this as the first of its kind in Abu Dhabi, with more to follow," said Hamad Al Suwaidi, the chairman of the board at Taqa, in a statement released yesterday.
The energy company plans to develop the 100-megawatt plant by 2016, processing up to 1 million tones of waste per year, according to a memorandum of understanding signed with the emirate's Centre of Waste Management (CWM).
The project is part of the CWM's efforts to reduce the amount of waste going into landfills by 80 per cent by 2030. Taqa will be key to meeting this objective, said Mohammed Al Bawardi, CWM's chairman. The project is the first step in Taqa's diversification away from traditional power plants and oil and gas production, the company's current core businesses.
Taqa owns power and water plants in Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates. The company is majority-owned by the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (Adwea), a Government body, and has a minority stake floated on the Abu Dhabi Securities Market.
Apart from its UAE investments, Taqa also produces power in Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Ghana and the United States.
It recently bought a stake in a 1,000-megawatt power plant in Iraqi Kurdistan and was the lowest bidder for the Hassyan power project in Dubai, which was postponed at the last minute. Taqa holds oil and gas assets in Canada, the United Kingdom's North Sea, the Netherlands and Kurdistan.
This year, it launched a division focusing on renewable energy, in a departure from its traditional emphasis on hydrocarbons. Taqa expects the unit to become a substantial part of its business.
"The plan is, since this is the third vertical, it should be as big as the other two verticals," said Saif Al Sayari, Taqa's head of energy solutions, at the World Future Energy Summit held in Abu Dhabi this year.
Taqa reported about Dh534 million (US$145.3m) of net profit on revenue of Dh5.7 billion for the first three months of this year. It reported Dh752mof profit last year, a 26 percent decline from 2010, on Dh24.4bn of revenuedue to a one-off charge on gas investments in Canada and higher taxes on oil production assets in the UK.
fneuhof@thenational.ae
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
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Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Company%20Profile
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Total funding: Self funded
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Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners
Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
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Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
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Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
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Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
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Director: Harmony Korine
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg
Two stars
