The UAE’s power sector is almost entirely gas-fired, but a reliance on imports whether via the Dolphin pipeline from Qatar or as LNG has led policy makers to seek alternatives. The two key players, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, are developing solar power while Abu Dhabi is also building nuclear capacity and Dubai has opted for coal-fired plants.
Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Water & Electricity Authority (Ewec), has 53% of the UAE’s current 31.27GW of power generating capacity while Dewa has 36%. Sharjah has 9% of UAE capacity in six plants – which mainly burn gas and some diesel – while the four small northern emirates have 2%, all in aging plants (see table). (CONTINUED - 953 WORDS)
