DUBAI 12 June 1017: There is a Hatta master development plan… and according to an infographic released yesterday, one of its component with snowy mountains is – no, not a ski lift [doesn’t apply in the hot arid conditions] – but a cable car.
Logically, it will take you up to a mountain top, where presumably there will be a fantastic view and tourism facilities.
The Dh1.3 billion Hatta Comprehensive Development Plan aims to boost the area’s social and economic attractiveness as a world-class environmental tourist destination.
It covers three key areas including economic and service sector, tourism and sports, and culture and education. A dedicated board will oversee the plan and co-ordinate with various government organisations. The board is comprised of people from Hatta as they are fully aware of its developmental requirements.
The Hatta infographic was released by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), which announced thes award of Dh58 million consultancy contract for the pumped-storage hydroelectric power station at Hatta Dam to France’s EDF. The project is the first of its kind in the Arabian Gulf, with a total capacity of 250MW, and is expected to last between 60 to 80 years.
The Contract
The consultancy contract covers design, hydro-geological, geological, environmental, geotechnical, and deep excavation studies. It also includes consultancy on deep-water tunnel designs, the dam and hydroelectric power station, the tender for material supply, supervision of construction work, site installation, on-site testing and commissioning.
“The hydroelectric plant costs Dh1.92 billion. It is part of the Hatta Comprehensive Development Plan,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dewa.
Dewa will build the hydroelectric power station to generate electricity, by making use of the existing water stored in the Hatta Dam, which can store up to 1,716 million gallons, and an upper reservoir that will be built in the mountain that can store up to 880 million gallons.
The upper reservoir will be 300 metres above the dam level. During off-peak hours, turbines that use clean and cheap solar energy will pump water from the lower dam to the upper reservoir. During peak-load hours, when production costs are high, turbines operated by the speed of waterfall from the upper reservoir will be used to generate electricity and connect it to Dewa’s grid.
The efficiency of power production will reach 90 per cent with a 90-second response to demand for electricity.
Other Projects
Other projects include installing photovoltaic panels on rooftops to produce electricity from solar power and installing smart meters in buildings. These other projects will be completed by the end of 2018.
The projects will create 200 permanent technical, administrative and operational jobs in Hatta. Another 300 jobs are expected to be created by the Visitor Centre, and other outdoor activities and tourist facilities associated with the project. Over 2,000 jobs will be available during the implementation phase.
Dewa is encouraging the use of electric vehicles in Hatta through its Green Charger initiative to install electric-vehicle charging stations to motivate the use of the environmentally-friendly electric vehicles. Currently, there is a charging station at Dewa’s Customer Happiness Centre in Hatta. Dewa is working on installing other Green Chargers in the region.
Dewa is also working to install smart meters in the buildings in Hatta according to the latest international systems through its Smart Application through Smart Meters and Grids initiative. Smart meters provide advanced features through smart applications. They enable customers to monitor and control their use, connection speed, and other innovative features that promote a smart and green lifestyle. The project will also be completed by end of 2018.
By Sheena Amos