Abu Dhabi okays new power plant 

(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) Abu Dhabi has okayed the construction of a 1500 megawatt power plant in Mirfa on build own and operate basis, to boost exports of electric power to energy deficit emirates.

In its last session the Abu Dhabi Executive Council chaired by General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, approved the summery to build a mega power plant which will produce 53 million gallon of water daily also.

The project comprises construction of combined cycle power plant generating 1000 to 1100 MW, in addition to installation of four gas turbines of 400 MW and installation of 30 MGD desalination unit, and sale of three desalination units of 23 MGD capacity.

Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, the director general of Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority, or Adwea, said: "The project will satisfy the increasing demand for electricity, which is rising 11 per cent annually."

He said it is the commitment of Adwea to satisfy the requirements of other emirates in compliance with directives of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The export of electric power would increase from 2000 megawatt in 2011 to almost double at 3900 megawatt in 2015.

The director-general said that the proposed site is the ideal to meet any expected shortage and it will achieve higher efficiency level besides reduce production costs.

Al Nuaimi said Mirfa is a strategic project for Adwea as it will rehabilitate, upgrade and increase the capacity of the plant located near demand centres of Tarif and Liwa.

Also Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, or Adnoc, is currently building its nitrogen gas plant near Mirfa which will need 200 MW of electricity to run it, which will be supplied by the new plant. About the features of the project, the director general said the project upon commencing operation will produce 400 MW in summers of 2014 and will add another 1000-1200 MW in the summers of 2015.