AED 1.5-billion project expected to generate 270 MW power and capture 80% carbon

Utico Middle East, the GCC-based private full service utility and solutions provider, and Shanghai Electric, a coal power company, has announced a joint collaboration to establish what they claim to be the world’s greenest coal-fired power plant at KhorKhowir in the RAK Maritime City.

An agreement to this effect was signed in Ras Al Khaimah on October 3, between Rashid Mehran Al Baloushi, Chairman of Utico Middle East, and Han Youtian, Vice Chairman of Shanghai Electric, in the presence of high-ranking authorities from the Ras Al Khaimah government, a joint communiqué said.

The venture was reportedly inked on the sidelines of the recently held Global IWPP (Independent Water & Power Plant) Summit, which was inaugurated by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Saqr Al Qassimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah.

His Highness Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, stated that the prime focus of the project should be on being environment-friendly and aiding the development and economic growth of the region, while creating jobs and opportunities for the people, the communiqué said. Supported by the Ras Al Khaimah government, the AED 1.5 billion-venture is expected to be completed in 2015 and will generate 270 MW of power when fully functional, it added.

According to the two entities, the project will utilise 100% carbon capture technology as nominal design capacity and 80% at operational point, which will involve the establishment of, what they claimed was world-class power generation facilities and environment protection standards and related utility infrastructure. This project, they said, would be able to lower power tariffs, thus benefiting consumers and providing support for economic growth.

Richard Menezes, Managing Director and Executive Vice Chairman of Utico Middle East, described the project as a milestone development that would enable Ras Al Khaimah to meet its utility requirements and showcase the emirate’s commitment towards clean, green energy resources. “Clean coal-fired energy is acknowledged to be even cleaner and greener than gas-reliant energy,” Menezes said. “By deploying Shanghai Electric’s superior energy-efficient and tried and proven technology for the plant, we are confident of reducing Flue Gas Desulphurisation, carbon dioxide emissions almost to zero and setting the benchmark for cleaner energy to the world, and not only to the UAE.”