Page 11 - Magazine April 2022

Local News Contractors News

Etihad Rail announces DEWA, TRANSCO to increase UAE’s

rail freight terminal at Dubai Industrial City water security with three water-interconnection projects

Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s The announcement follows Etihad Rail’s achievement Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
National Rail network, and Dubai Industrial City, one of earlier in March 2022, of completing the connection (DEWA) and Abu Dhabi Transmission
the region›s largest manufacturing and logistics hubs and of Abu Dhabi and Dubai with a direct railway within and Despatch Company (TRANSCO), a
a part of TECOM Group, have announced an advanced the “UAE National Rail Network”, in the presence of subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Energy
freight terminal spread across 5.5 million square feet. H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Company (TAQA Group), will install three
The terminal, which comes as a result of the Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime interconnections that can transfer 117
collaboration between Etihad Rail and Dubai Minister and Minister of Finance and H.H. Sheikh MIGD to different areas in Abu Dhabi
Industrial City over the past years, will contribute Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman and Dubai, supporting reliable water
to cementing the UAE’s position as an international of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court and Chairman supplies to customers across the nation.
trade hub and boost Dubai’s global competitiveness of Etihad Rail. Their highnesses installed the final The move reinforces a shared national
in manufacturing, logistics, transport, trade, and piece on the railway track, marking the start of a new goal for creating strategic water
investment. This comes in line with the UAE’s phase of logistic and economic integration between interconnections in the UAE.
Railways Programme, which aims to facilitate trade by the two emirates, and in preparation for linking the Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and critical to our nation’s health, social and economic
connecting the country’s industrial and manufacturing rest of the emirates to an integrated national railway CEO of DEWA, said that this partnership supports stability. In line with the UAE Water Security Strategy
centres and opening new trade routes. network in the UAE. water security in the UAE and increases the reliability 2036, Abu Dhabi continues to expand its water
and efficiency of the water network to meet the UAE infrastructure, and is leveraging new desalination
Water Security Strategy 2036 objective to ensure technologies, brine reduction techniques, and water
sustainable access to water during both normal and demand management strategies to improve water
emergency conditions. security and support a green transition.
The strategic water interconnection projects will «We recognise the importance of making water more
help avoid crises and water shortages. They will also sustainable and view national collaborations as
help in efforts to raise the efficiency and operational imperative to ensure UAE water security.
capacity of water networks to promote sustainable The strategic water interconnection projects between
development in the UAE. Dubai and Abu Dhabi present a significant opportunity
«Water security is a national security issue for the to maximise the provision of a sufficient supply of
UAE and is one of the seven strategic sectors of potable water at a national scale, while also mitigating
the National Innovation Strategy launched by His climate change risks to water availability, quality, and
Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, quantity, Al Rumaithi added.
Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Dr. Afif Saif Al Yafei, CEO of TRANSCO, noted, «In 2021,
Dubai has a comprehensive approach to ensure the TRANSCO delivered water through more than 3,500
sustainability of water resources, in line with the Dubai kilometres of water pipelines, ensuring reliability, in
Integrated Water Resource Management Strategy line with the highest international benchmarks. We
2030, which focuses on enhancing water resources, also completed 23 projects worth AED 3.3 billion,
rationing water consumption, and using cutting-edge which included integrating with our network the first
technologies and innovative solutions to reduce water potable water from the Taweelah Reverse Osmosis
consumption, Al Tayer added. plant, one of the largest in the world.
Commenting on the strategic water interconnection We are proud of the role we play in meeting customer
projects between DEWA and TRANSCO, Ahmed demands and making the UAE’s energy goals a reality
Mohamed Al Rumaithi, Under-Secretary of the Abu by modernising power and water infrastructure and
Dhabi Department of Energy, said, Water security is partnering with key stakeholders.

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