Sultan Al Jaber: Immediate action needed for securing energy supplies towards sustainable development (2nd Add)
continued.Q - Do you see this model of transport substituting the use of automobiles in the future? Are we close to the objective of completely discarding cars as the primary means of transportation in our metropolises? A - The key goals at Masdar City -- to ensure sustainable transportation -- are to reduce total passenger-kilometres travelled, total carbon dioxide emissions per passenger-kilometres travelled, and ensure user satisfaction with the city?s transportation system.
To ensure this, Masdar City is testing the Personal Rapid Transport (PRT) and the Mitsubishi Electric Vehicles (EVs) on pilot project basis. However, these have been used not to entirely substitute cars but to complement them as sustainable transportation for point to point journeys.
We look forward to a future where this form of transport is widespread and our efforts in compiling years of study and research of the PRT can be used as samples of successful, clean transport on a large scale.
Q - The Project Masdar is based on the use of renewable energy, mainly solar energy. However, this technology is not entirely sustainable if we take Germany as an example. Do you believe that Solar energy is truly the future of energy? A - We have always advocated a diversified energy mix approach that includes the use of hydrocarbons while simultaneously focusing efforts on the development and implementation of clean technology to reduce carbon emissions; peaceful nuclear power; and renewable energy.
Masdar is not based only on solar energy, but works through the spectrum of the renewable energy and sustainable technology industry, through integrated units.
Through one of our integrated units we are exploring several renewable energy resources. The choice depends on each country?s renewable resources and the abundance of these resources at that location. In the UAE, we are blessed with sunshine throughout the year so it is definitely a source that we can leverage on.
Masdar?s 10MW solar power plant, the largest grid-connected solar power plant in the Middle East, produces about 17,500MWh of clean electricity annually, thereby offsetting 15,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year (which is equivalent to taking 3,300 cars off Abu Dhabi roads per year). The plant also helps meet the energy needs of Masdar.
Shams One, the 100MW concentrated solar power (CSP) plant, being built by Masdar is one of the largest CSP plants in the world and the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa. Masdar has also partnered to build three solar plants in Spain.
Besides investing in solar energy, Masdar has also partnered with leading companies for building world?s largest offshore wind farm in the UK, London Array.
Masdar?s other integrated units work on reducing carbon emissions and provide capital and management expertise by targeting clean technology investments with the greatest business benefits globally and for UAE.
Masdar, through Masdar Institute, also develops human capital and the latest breakthrough research in clean technology. Masdar City, one of the world?s most sustainable and commercially viable developments, is also a landmark achievement.
We believe in investing in, and opting for, a diverse energy mix.
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