Energy
From The Report: Ras Al Khaimah 2013
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With strong industrial growth and demand for electricity on the rise, Ras Al Khaimah’s energy needs are expanding. This is being met by broadening the number of players in the sector. Aside from the Federal Electricity and Water Authority, several international firms have become major players in the emirate’s energy sector. RAK is working to ensure greater energy independence by boosting access to alternative sources for generating electricity as well as desalinating water. This work is covering areas such as clean-coal technology and other alternative sources of energy. As a result, RAK is becoming a centre for renewables research and development and projects that are in progress related to this could position the emirate as a leader in this field.
This chapter includes an interview with Anil Sardana, Managing Director, Tata Power.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

A strategic approach: Maximising domestic generation capacity will be key to ensuring growth
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Unlike many of its neighbouring countries and emirates, Ras Al Khaimah is not a large oil-and-gas producer. It has, however, established its own growing energy economy, ramping up capacity for electricity generation and water desalination, studying the potential of renewable energies – in particular solar power – and developing energy efficiency solutions. Upstream Development The emirate’s upstream companies, RAK Petroleum and RAK Gas, both contribute profits to the government’s balance…

Interview

OBG talks to Anil Sardana, Managing Director, Tata Power
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Interview:Anil Sardana In what way has the recent establishment of the Ras Al Khaimah Electricity and Water Authority (RAKEWA) affected the investment prospects of the emirate’s utilities sector? ANILSARDANA: Investors firmly believe that RAK offers good opportunities with its well-established port and road infrastructure, but are unsure about large capital investments unless they see a firm and competitive blueprint for power and water in place. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the…

Analysis

Looking for alternatives: Exploring sustainable ways of diversifying the energy mix
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With strong industrial growth and demand for electricity on the rise, Ras Al Khaimah’s energy needs are expanding at such a rate that it requires the exploration of a number of alternatives to ensure production continues apace. Though the emirate has access to electricity and petrol at lower-than-market prices thanks to supply from its fellow emirate, Abu Dhabi, developing domestic production is a priority. However, even in spite of this, industrial growth and the desire to diversify energy sources…

Analysis

Powering on: Initiatives to increase electricity generation capacity are under way
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As the largest supplier of electricity in Ras Al Khaimah, the Federal Electricity and Water Authority (FEWA), works to meet increasing electricity demand across the UAE, authorities in RAK are developing plans of their own to meet growing local demand. Abu Dhabi provides power and water to residential customers throughout the country, but it does not, nor does the FEWA, typically provide services to commercial entities, though the latter has recently expressed interest in doing so. To meet increasing…

Analysis

Securing the future: Ensuring a steady supply of water is a regional priority
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Water security is an economic, social and political priority for the Middle East. Soaring demand and limited natural reserves have pushed the region toward severe water scarcity. The GCC countries are particularly vulnerable; indeed, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are ranked as the most water-stressed countries in the world, and yet they are facing soaring demand from their water-intensive industries. The population growth rate in the region, estimated to be among the highest in the world,…

Analysis

Heating up: Major solar power projects are under way across the globe
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The global insolation map has three notable patches of dark red: one in western Australia; another in southwest US; and perhaps the largest stretching from Algeria across North Africa all the way to the Arabian Gulf. It is in these regions where the most sun hits the ground, creating the greatest potential for solar energy. The large swathe in the MENA region is of particular interest these days. It runs through countries that are fast-growing and in need of additional sources of energy and new exports. The…

Analysis

Heating up: Major solar power projects are under way across the globe
OBG
plus

The global insolation map has three notable patches of dark red: one in western Australia; another in southwest US; and perhaps the largest stretching from Algeria across North Africa all the way to the Arabian Gulf. It is in these regions where the most sun hits the ground, creating the greatest potential for solar energy. The large swathe in the MENA region is of particular interest these days. It runs through countries that are fast-growing and in need of additional sources of energy and new exports. The…