Dubai’s 2020 partial start-up of the 2.4GW Hassyan ‘clean coal’ power plant always appeared at odds with the clean energy priorities espoused by Dubai and the wider United Aran Emirates (UAE) in recent years (MEES, 28 August 2020). Especially as the ‘clean’ element came from yet-to-be-installed carbon capture facilities. Dubai has finally accepted the inevitable and the plant is to be converted to run on natural gas, although no timeline has been provided.
The announcement was made on 3 December, and while the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) insists on still labeling Hassyan a ‘clean coal’ plant, the authorities made clear that the move is designed to reduce emissions. “This step supports Dubai’s energy supply security by diversifying the energy mix through the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and Dubai’s carbon neutrality strategy 2050 to provide 100% of the energy production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050. The move is also in line with international efforts to reduce relying on high carbon emissions energy sources,” says Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy. (CONTINUED - 224 WORDS)